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Azerbaijan votes to extend presidential term to 7 years

The Azerbaijani president has for the first time received the right to dismiss the parliament (Milli Mejlis)

© AP Photo/ Vugar Amrullayev

BAKU, September 27. /TASS/. The presidential term in Azerbaijan has been extended from five to seven years, the chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panakhov said on Tuesday.

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Overwhelming majority of Azerbaijanians support constitutional amendments — ruling party

After counting 70.2% of votes, CEC found that 91.2% of voters approved this amendment to the constitution which also grants a president the right to announce snap elections.

The Azerbaijani president has for the first time received the right to dismiss the parliament (Milli Mejlis). The positions of first vice president and vice president are introduced in Azerbaijan following the results of the constitutional referendum. "The first vice president and vice president of the Azerbaijani Republic will be appointed and dismissed by the president of the Azerbaijani Republic," the amendment said.

The position of the first vice president of Azerbaijan will become the second in state hierarchy after the president. The presidential term in Azerbaijan is extended from five to seven years. After counting 70.2% of votes, CEC found that 91.2% of voters approved this amendment to the constitution which also grants a president with the right to announce snap elections.

The constitutional referendum in Azerbaijan was held on Monday. People voted on whether to introduce 29 amendments to the constitution on state government, rights and freedoms of citizens.

The referendum was held at 5,627 polling stations in 125 districts. There are over 5.2 million eligible voters in Azerbaijan.

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