Azerbaijan starts to live according to new Constitution

Constitutional amendments came into force in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s Central Election Commission on Tuesday passed a decision to wrap up the final count of vote at the constitutional referendum held in the country on September 26, 2016.

As more than half of voters voted for each part of the 29 Articles of the draft Referendum Act which was put to a referendum, the document must be considered approved. 

According to the document, the CEC shall confirm the protocol and finalize the referendum, the draft Referendum Act which proposed annexes and amendments to the Constitution shall be considered approved, the results of the referendum shall be announced and the text of the act approved by the referendum shall be published. The decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
 
The draft Referendum Act proposes 39 annexes and amendments to 29 articles of the Constitution.

Among the changes were establishing first vice-president and vice-president positions in Azerbaijan, extending the president’s term in office from five years to seven years, giving the authority to the president to dissolve the Milli Majlis and declare early presidential election, removing the age limit for presidential election from 35 to 28, decreasing the age limit from 25 to 18 for participation in the parliamentary elections.

The draft amendments also contain a constitutional ban on the establishment of associations that might pose a threat to the country’s national security. Moreover, the draft Referendum Act provides greater protection of human rights and freedoms. 

The speaker of Milli Majlis, Ogtay Asadov, told earlier Vestnik Kavkaza, that the referendum on introduction of amendments and additions to the Azerbaijani constitution will make the administration system more efficient, and as a consequence, will contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. "This referendum will give a new impetus to the economic development of Azerbaijan, because the state system will have additional mechanisms for effective management. I think it will benefit our people," he stressed.

The deputy director general of MIA ‘Trend’, the political commentator Arzu Nagiyev, noted that the amendment involving the return of unused agricultural lands is vitally important for the people of Azerbaijan.

A PhD, head of the expert council of Baku Network, Elkhan Alasgarov, noted the rejuvenation of Azerbaijan's political life. "The age requirement does not imply that every deputy will be 18-years-old. This is evidence of the rejuvenation process taking place in the state. It should play a positive role. You know that the Azerbaijani government has adopted a state program on the education of Azerbaijanis abroad, we have a huge number of educational programs, and I think that lowering the age requirements paves the way for a new generation, a new format of leaders, who will lead Azerbaijan in the future. I think it's a positive thing," he stressed.