Constitutional referendum declared valid

By Azernews

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijan's Central Election Commission (CEC) has declared the country's referendum on constitutional amendments as valid.

Some 30.6 percent of voters have cast ballot in the constitutional referendum as of 12:00 (GMT +4) and this showed that the referendum was valid. A turnout of at least 25 percent is required for the referendum to be legitimate and a simple majority will be sufficient for the amendments to pass.

The referendum voting, where Azerbaijani citizens are asked to either accept or reject certain proposals is being held in a calm atmosphere and no incidents have been so far recorded, while observers mention high activity of voters. The total number of observers is around 53,000.

Meanwhile, PACE mission consisting of seven people will present its final report regarding the observation of the referendum within one or two months. The mission, which is in Baku to assess the referendum will reveal its initial findings on September 27.

Voters in Azerbaijan were offered several amendments to their founding law, including on extending the presidential term from five to seven years, the introduction of the position of Vice-presidents, as well as a reduction in the age limit, for presidential candidates, dissolution of parliament by the president. Amendments are proposed to 29 articles of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, the turnout at the nationwide vote in Azerbaijan stood at 53.8 percent as of 15:00.

The voting will wrap up at 19:00 (UTC/GMT +4). Final results of the nationwide vote will be announced till October 21.