MP: September 26 referendum to be held at highest level

By Azernews

By Gunay Hasanova

The constitutional referendum scheduled for September 26 is very important for Azerbaijan, MP Asim Mollazade told Day.Az.

The parliamentarian mentioned that many factors require changes to the current Constitution and holding of the referendum.

Mollazade stressed that mainly the management structure required further reforms.

"It will allow to carry out more flexible economic and social policies. In addition, the amendments proposed are related to the negative processes in the world such as fight against international terrorism. Particularly, Armenia doesn’t give up on its plans directed against Azerbaijan and continues to wage a dishonest policy towards us. The Azerbaijani government intends to eliminate the tension in this direction,” he said.

Mollazade further added that all elections in Azerbaijan are held in accordance with the highest standards. The September 26 referendum on constitutional changes will also take place at the high level as well.

"The main purpose of the referendum is to reform the system of executive power, management structure and form a more flexible, reliable and consistent policy in this system,” he said.

Previously, political scientist, Professor of Western University Fikret Sadikhov told that needs of recent years and the ongoing changes in the geopolitical situation, as well as the increasing role of Azerbaijan in the region require various transformations in the country, so introduction of certain amendments to the Constitution is a natural phenomenon.

September 26, 2016 was set as the date for referendum on proposed changes to the constitution of Azerbaijan.

In a bill recently sent to the Constitutional Court, President Ilham Aliyev proposed  amendments to 29 Articles of Azerbaijan’s current constitution. The changes envisage extension of the presidential term from five to seven years, establishment of the first vice-president and vice-president positions in the country as well as abolishment of minimum age limit for presidential candidates, dissolution of parliament by the president.

Final results of the Referendum will be announced till October 21.

The last time changes to the Constitution were made seven years ago, following Constitutional referendum held in 2009.