On 27 September the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan announced the initial results of a Constitutional referendum held on 26 September. With reports from 70,2 % polling stations already processed, CEC chairman Mazahir Panahov said that the voters turnout was 69,7 % (25 % are required for the referendum to be valid). Therefore, all 29 constitutional amendments put to referendum have been approved. Panahov reassured that voting was democratic, transparent and in accordance with law. The referendum was aimed at protecting stability and will improve the political system and governance, he added. There were 53,531 local observers, including representatives of political parties, NGOs and referendum campaigning groups. As a result of the referendum the power of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and his family is expected to strengthen. The most important amendment is an extension of the president’s term of office from five to seven years. According to CEC, 90 % of the voters supported this change. Furthermore, two vice-presidential posts will be created, who will be appointed and dismissed by the president. The first vice president will fulfill the responsibilities of the president in case the latter becomes incapacitated. The president is also now able to schedule early presidential elections and dissolve the parliament if twice in one year it adopts no-confidence measures against the government or rejects presidential nominees to the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, or the governing board of Azerbaijani Central Bank.
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