Constitutional referendum ends in Azerbaijan

http://azertag.az/en/xeber/Constitutional_referendum_ends_in_Azerbaijan-996044

Polling stations closed across Azerbaijan at 19.00 local time on Monday, September 26, as the country`s citizens voted in a referendum to make amendments to the Constitution. High turnout was registered in the referendum, which was conducted in 125 constituencies in 5,627 polling stations, of which 5,415 were permanent and 212 temporary. The number of eligible voters in the country is 5,276,111.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) issued a total of 5,280,924 ballot papers for the referendum. All constituencies were supplied with computers and other necessary equipment. All polling stations were provided with indelible ink and special devises for reading it.

Throughout the day, the Central Election Commission issued five reports on the voter turnout (10.00, 12.00, 15.00, 17.00, and 19.00) through the State Automated Information System, which was available at the commission’s official website.

1000 polling stations in 119 constituencies were equipped with webcams to provide internet users with an opportunity to watch the voting process online.

The voting was monitored by 117 international observers – who were citizens of 33 countries – representing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Parliamentary Assembly of the Turkic Speaking State (TurkPA), parliaments of the UK, Italy, Turkey, France, Australia and other states, and election authorities of foreign countries.

53,531 local observers, including representatives of political parties, NGOs and referendum campaigning groups observed the voting.

The voting took place in a democratic and transparent manner. International monitors hailed the referendum, saying the Central Election Commission ensured the conduct of the voting in accordance with law. No irregularities that can influence the results of the referendum have been registered.