CIS observers laud Azerbaijan's readiness for constitutional referendum
BAKU. Sept 26 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan is well prepared for the Monday referendum on constitutional amendments, Federation Council Deputy Chairperson, head of the CIS Parliamentary Assembly election observation mission Ilyas Umakhanov said.
"This referendum is very well prepared. Obviously, Azerbaijan is ready for the supreme form of expression of will by the Azerbaijani people," Umakhanov told Interfax in an interview.
Speaking of the proposed amendments to the Azerbaijani constitution, Umakhanov said that the West had paid attention to only one out of 29 amendments, i.e. the one extending the president's tenure. "A certain number of amendments have sort of a personal associative meaning. For some reason, our Western colleagues have highlighted the seven years [the proposed period of extended presidential tenure]," he said.
"We have discussed this with [Azerbaijani] President [Ilham Aliyev]. We have also discussed the fact that CIS countries, former Soviet republics are exhibiting an innovative attitude, completely new norms of democratic development. In his respect, the people and the president of Azerbaijan are the leading promoters of new elements in the state system in the post-Soviet space," Umakhanov said.
The amendments to the Azerbaijani constitution will make it possible to focus on development and democratization of society, he said. "This is happening against the global backdrop of brazen and cynical interference of a number of countries in sovereign affairs of independent states. Azerbaijan shows itself to good advantage in that situation," Umakhanov said.
On July 18, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev submitted to the Constitutional Court a draft act on a referendum regarding constitutional amendments. For instance, he proposed to establish the positions of first vice-president and vice-presidents. In addition, it is planned to extend the president's tenure from five to seven years.
Other constitutional amendments enable the head of state to declare an early presidential election. The period assigned for holding early elections in the event of the president's resignation may be cut from three months to 60 days.
The Azerbaijani constitution may be amended with a clause on disbandment of the Milli Majlis (parliament) and lower age qualification for parliament candidates - the right to run for parliament will be given to all eligible voters older than 18. So far, only people older than 25 can be elected to parliament.
The referendum results will be announced before October 21.