Azerbaijani president thanks citizens for support to amendments into constitution at referendum
BAKU. Sept 27 (Interfax) - The outcomes of a constitutional referendum in Azerbaijan demonstrated that citizens are backing the policy pursued by the country's leadership, President of the republic Ilham Aliyev said on Tuesday.
"The current processes in Azerbaijan, the country's development and the referendum that took place yesterday once again showed the will of our people. It once again revealed that Azerbaijani people are backing the pursued policy. It once again demonstrated that Azerbaijani people are choosing security, stability, development, dignity and independence," Aliyev said at a meeting with the public of the city of Sumgait on Tuesday.
Aliyev said that the referendum outcomes had revealed that people trusted the Azerbaijani leadership, said a statement published on the presidential website. "This trust will add strength to us. If not this faith, it would be difficult to protect the national interests of our state at the international level," the Azerbaijani president said.
"The absolute majority of Azerbaijani people said a definite 'yes' to the referendum, recognized and supported our proposals. With this in view, I want to express deep gratitude to all Azerbaijani people," the president said.
The referendum on amendments into the Azerbaijani Constitution was held in the country on Monday. According to the Central Election Commission, the voter turnout reached 69.7%.
According to the republican CEC preliminary reports, 84.2% of voters said "yes" to an increase in the presidential term in Azerbaijan to seven years. As many as 9.1% of participants in the referendum voted "against" this amendment.
Besides, 84.5% of electors have backed the establishment of the institute of vice presidents in Azerbaijan, 6.5% of participants in the referendum voted against this.
Meanwhile, as many as 88% of electors supported the lifting of age restrictions for presidential candidates, 6.8% of voters cast their ballots "against" this amendment.
The Azerbaijani CEC will sum up final referendum results within 25 days after the voting.
