The referendum on introduction of amendments and additions to the Azerbaijani constitution is being held peacefully, without any violations, Vestnik Kavkaza reports.
The chairman of the polling station set up at the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre, Sevindzh Valiyeva, said that the voting process met all the standards. "The referendum is being held calmly, without any provocations. All of our observers are monitoring the voting process. At the moment, 407 out of 723 people cast their votes," she said, adding that the polling station was visited by international observers from Italy.
The chairman of the polling station №25, Abiyat Agadadasheva, said that 400 out of 938 people registered at the station have already voted. "All the necessary conditions have been created here for voters and observers. There were a lot of visitors today, a delegation of 15-18 people from Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom arrived just a few minutes ago," she noted.
One of the voters, Yugeniya Kharitonova explained why she decided to take part in the referendum. "We are law-abiding citizens of Azerbaijan, who want to support their president. The amendments to the new constitution, perhaps, have been made for the benefit of our country and its citizens. We agree with the amendments by almost 90%," the voter said.
The voting in referendum on making amendments to Azerbaijan’s constitution kicked off and will wrap up at 19:00 local time (18:00 MSK).
The draft Referendum Act envisages establishing first vice-president and vice-president positions in Azerbaijan, extending the president’s term of office from five years to seven years, given the authority to the president to dissolve the Milli Majlis and declare early presidential election, removing the age limit for presidential election, decreasing the age limit from 25 to 18 for participation in the parliamentary elections.
