Politics 18:55 26/09/2016 Region

Azerbaijan: Media report on mass violations during Constitutional Referendum

Constitutional referendum in Azerbaijan was marked by opposition protests and unjustified detentions of activists, website of Institute for War and Peace Reporting writes. 

 “These amendments are intended to perpetuate the power of the Aliyevs.  It is clear that they are already preparing the throne for Heydar Aliyev junior. They turn the republic into a monarchy, where power passes from father to son. A third generation of the Aliyevs, that is the worst that could happen to the country,” said Ulvi Hasanli, a board member of the youth movement NIDA.

As highlighted in the article, thousands of people took part in these protests. But although the rallies were sanctioned by the municipality, police detained dozens of activists both before and after the events.

Meanwhile, Global Risk Insights writes that it is clear that the constitutional changes have been proposed in order to entrench the position of the Aliyev regime within Azerbaijan. However, there are certain factors that have stimulated the regime to feel the need to find “legal” means to strengthen its position. 

Reportedly, economic discontent is rampant throughout Azerbaijan, and the level of corruption and repression is higher than the norm. It is no surprise that the oil and gas sector represents the “greatest source of corruption in the country” as it makes up around three-quarters of government revenue. A recent drop in Azerbaijan’s national currency has had a large impact on the socio-economic situation of ordinary Azerbaijanis and many have voiced their frustrations on the streets.

In addition to this, it is no coincidence that the Turkish coup attempt took place on the 15th July and the declaration of the referendum in Azerbaijan was announced on the 26th July. It is highlighted that Aliyev was afraid that oppositional forces within the country would put an end to his regime. He thought that these constitutional changes may act as a further defense against such forces.

Meanwhile, website of the Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq writes that there has been mass ballot-stuffing during the Constitutional Referendum in Azerbaijan.

One of the voters, Javid Hajibeyli, told Azadliq that the authorities use “carousel voting” at the polling station N 82 in Aghjabedi.

The editor of the newspaper, Rovshan Hajibeyli, who is an observer at the polling station N 121 in Yeni Yasamal district of Baku, noted that the ballots are thrown into the boxes in piles.

“They do not require any identification documents here. They give several ballots to one person. People are brought to vote by cars, and then they are sent to vote at other polling stations. Here, the ‘carousel’ works very well,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Baku bureau of Radio Liberty writes that according to the chair of the National Council of the Democratic Forces, Jamil Hasanli, “the Azerbaijani nation has refused to participate in the Referendum en masse.”

 “The numbers cited by the Central Voting Committee about the population’s participation in the voting are false. Those, who vote, are state employees. They were told to go to work that day and create an illusion of voting. Just now, a group of ‘carousel’ participants went from one polling station to another,” he said.

According to him, the Azerbaijani government refused to accept opposition’s appeal for an observer mission. “In any case, in the evening, they will announce the number they have prepared beforehand,” Hasanli noted.

The Baku bureau of Radio Liberty also reports that opposition party Musavat has issued a statement about the violations during the Constitutional Referendum.

For example, in Binagadi rayon, teachers entrust parents to participate in the voting at the nearest polling station, even if those people are registered in other places. Every teacher has to provide the attendance of 6 parents.

At the polling stations 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 in Salyan, the observers noted that there were “carousels” at the fourth polling station. At the third polling station, it was announced about the participation of 343 people, and at the fifth – of 430 people. However, the observers recorded only 8 and 5 voters respectively.

In Jalilabad, groups of doctors, teachers, and high school students were created, and they go to different polling stations to vote. The “carousel” takes place under the noses of the administrative organs of the region.

In the 45th polling station in Absheron, the voters are called to participate in the referendum with the help of loudspeakers fixed on cars.

Several voters state there have been serious violations at the 45th polling station in Absheron. They say that ballots are thrown into the boxes in packs.

In its turn, news agency Turan writes that at the polling station created in the school N 108 in Mashtaga municipality, ballots are given to eight-grade students, who are not eligible to vote yet.

“By 9 in the morning, the boxes were already filled with ballots. I was also offered several ballots,” a voter said.

A doctor from the Ministry of Healthcare told Turan reporter that although she lives in Yasamal rayon, she was ordered to go and vote in Nasimi rayon of the capital. She was threatened to be dismissed in case of refusal. It is highlighted that many other state officials are in a similar situation.

On July 18, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to send a Project of Referendum Act on Introducing Amendments to the Constitution of Azerbaijan to the Constitutional Court of the country for consideration. The suggested amendments propose to introduce the institutes of the first vice-president and vice-presidents, who will be appointed and dismissed by the president of the country. In addition, the minimum age limit for a presidential candidate, which is now set to 35 years, will be eliminated. It is also planned to increase the presidential term from five to seven years. It is proposed to introduce an amendment in the Constitution providing for the dissolution of the parliament, a provision, which is not provided in the current Constitution.

Azerbaijani oppositionists and experts called the Constitutional amendments retrogressive considering them directed towards the strengthening of the authoritarianism in the country, which will lead to serious human rights violations.



Source Panorama.am
Share |

Related news

Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:03
Raúl among potential candidates for Armenia manager
Raúl is being considered among the potential candidates for the new head coach of Armenia’s national football team, Armen...
16:46
Putin reiterates Russia's commitment to normalizing Armenian-Azeri relations
Moscow is doing all it can to help relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia to normalize and sees these countries as its natural strategic...
16:30
Colder weather ahead in Armenia
Clear weather is expected in Armenia’s regions on Tuesday and in the next few days. Strong winds of up to 25 m/s are forecast for some...
16:12
Nearly 58% of survey respondents dissatisfied with Pashinyan's performance
According to a Gallup International Association survey, nearly 58% of respondents are dissatisfied with Armenian Prime Minister...
15:31
Global prayer for Armenian hostages in Azerbaijan on the eve of COP29
On the initiative of His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, an ecumenical (global) prayer for peace and justice in Armenia and the...
15:15
Putin receives credentials from new Armenian ambassador
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday received letters of credence from 28 newly arrived foreign ambassadors, including Armenian...
14:43
Azerbaijan has no plans to leave Armenian territories, MP claims
MP Tigran Abrahamyan of the opposition Pativ Unem faction has called attention to the discussion on the sequence of border sections for...
14:05
Georgian travel agency deletes post on Armenia's Lori, unavailable on president's page
Georgian travel agency Adjara Voyage has deleted its social media post describing Armenia's Lori Province as “historical...
13:35
EU officials visited Armenia for visa liberalization talks, deputy FM says
EU officials have travelled to Armenia for visa liberalization talks, Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan said on Tuesday....
13:15
Greta Thunberg boycotts COP29 in Baku
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has announced her decision to boycott the upcoming COP29 climate summit, set to take place in Baku,...
12:59
UN court to deliver judgment on Armenia v. Azerbaijan case on November 12
On Tuesday 12 November, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will deliver its...
12:33
Opposition MP asks to postpone independence declaration debates
Opposition Hayastan faction MP Gegham Manukyan on Tuesday asked a parliamentary committee to postpone debates on a statement defending...
12:03
Senator Markey: COP29 should be used to hold Azerbaijan accountable for war crimes
U.S. Senator Ed Markey insists that COP29 should be used to hold the Azerbaijani government accountable for its war crimes....
11:34
Armenia appoints new justice minister
Srbuhi Galyan has been appointed Armenia’s new justice minister. President President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a relevant decree...
11:15
Iranian leader to attend COP29 in Baku
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will attend the COP29 UN climate summit in Baku, the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan reported....
11:02
Armenian ambassador says he received death threats from Azeri counterpart in Brussels
The Armenian Embassy has lodged a formal protest with other diplomatic missions in Brussels after its ambassador claimed to have been on the...
17:02
Footballer killed by lightning strike at match in Peru
A football player in Peru has died and more have suffered injuries after being struck by lightning during a match on Sunday afternoon, the Daily...
16:46
On the trail of a post about Lori shared by Georgian president
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili shared on Facebook a post by a Georgian travel agency offering tours to Armenia’s Lori Province on...
16:05
Parliament speaker names ruling party's candidate for Gyumri mayor
Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party has picked Karen Sarukhanyan, a former governor of Shirak Province, as its candidate for the next...
15:42
Pashinyan criticized for failure to congratulate Moldova's president on re-election
Artur Sakunts, a human rights activist who heads the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly-Vanadzor, on Monday criticized Prime Minister Nikol...
15:07
Car crash in Armenia leaves one dead, three wounded
A tragic car crash in Armenia’s Aragatsotn Province on Monday left one person killed and three others injured. The Rescue Service...
14:36
Yerevan mayor says his 'good looks' could make him a target for corruption rumors
Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan denied allegations of corrupt practices involving him as defamation.  “I guess my good looks...
14:14
Putin to accept credentials from new Armenian envoy on Tuesday
Russian President Vladimir Putin will receive the letters of credence from 28 newly arrived foreign ambassadors, including Armenian...
13:45
Legendary music producer Quincy Jones dies at 91
Quincy Jones, a titan of American entertainment who worked with stars from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson and Will Smith, has died aged...
13:30
Rain expected in some parts of Armenia on Monday
Rain is forecast for some parts of Armenia on Monday, with snow set to hit the country’s mountainous areas. Clear weather is expected...
13:04
At least 10 killed after volcano erupts in Indonesia
At least 10 people have been killed after a volcano erupted in eastern Indonesia in the early hours of Monday, BBC News reports, citing local...
12:46
ICRC visits Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan
Employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan in October this year....
12:26
Spanish king pelted with eggs in flood-hit Valencia
Angry residents booed and threw eggs at Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia as they visited the Valencia region, where more than 200...
12:10
Political analyst: Azerbaijan sitting on the twine
Political analyst Stepan Danielyan has weighed in on the latest developments regarding the Ukraine conflict. In a social media post on...
11:35
Tatoyan Foundation working to expose Azerbaijan's lies about Artsakh
Specialists of the Tatoyan Foundation are doing extensive work to expose the false Azerbaijani narratives about Armenia and Artsakh...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}