On October 11, the Central Election Commission (CEC) held a meeting to discuss the issues of the conclusion of the popular vote (referendum) on constitutional amendments held on 26 September 2016 and the announcement of the referendum results as a formal notice.
It was stated at the meeting that, the election commissions of Polling Station #14 of Garadagh Election Constituency #11, Polling Station #10 of Garadagh-Binagadi-Yasamal Election Constituency #12, Polling Station #2 of Jalilabad Rural Election Constituency #68, Polling Station #35 of Sabirabad Second Election Commission #64, Polling Station #21 of Yasamal First Election Constituency #15, and Polling Station #4 of Narimanov First Election Constituency #19 were dissolved for the deficiencies in the organisation of the referendum voting.
The CEC made a decision to conclude the referendum and to declare the results.
According to the decision, as more than half of the voters, who have taken part in the vote, have voted in favour of each of the 29 sections of the draft Referendum Act put to popular vote (referendum), the bill shall be deemed to have been accepted. “The CEC protocol shall be approved, and the referendum shall be concluded. The popular vote (referendum) shall be deemed a success, and the draft Referendum Act on amendments and additions to the Constitution shall be deemed to have been accepted. The results of the referendum shall be announced, and the text of the Act adopted by way of referendum shall be published. The decision comes into force from the date of publication,” the document reads.
Background: On September 26, a referendum was held on amendments to the national constitution in Azerbaijan. The proposed amendments stipulate, inter alia, extension of the presidential term from 5 to 7 years, granting the President the power to dissolve the Parliament, to call early presidential elections and to deprive of citizenship, removal of the minimum age limits for the President and MPs, establishment of the posts of first vice president and vice presidents, restriction of land ownership rights subject to certain conditions, determination of only civil liability for public servants and municipal officials for violation of human rights.