PACE mission recognizes referendum in Azerbaijan as legitimate

The referendum on the amendments to the Constitution has been organized in accordance with the laws, and its results reflect the will of the Azerbaijani people. This was stated by the PACE assessment mission. However, members of the PACE mission have urged to strike a balance between the branches of power in Azerbaijan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 26, Azerbaijan held a referendum on the amendments to the Constitution. Following its results, the majority of voters have supported the amendments to the Constitution. The opposition has spoken against the amendments and demanded to cancel the results of the referendum.

The PACE has sent its assessment mission to attend the referendum in Azerbaijan.

According to the findings of the delegation, the referendum "was organized in accordance with the Constitution and national legislation of Azerbaijan, and therefore it was recognized as legitimate," reports at the today's press conference on behalf of the PACE mission Alexander Nikoloski, the head of the delegation. He has also noted that it is a preliminary assessment of the referendum.

The voting was transparent and well-organized, and it took place in peaceful environment. During the counting of the votes, no serious violations were noticed and before the referendum, supporters and opponents of the amendments had an opportunity to express their positions, report observers from the PACE.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.