Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 16/ Trend , I. Alizade/ Deputy chief of Azerbaijan's governing party proposed in the parliamentary meeting held today to hold referendum to make changes to the Constitutional article on term of presidential office.
"The limit for one person not be elected president more than twice restricts citizens' right to choose," said Ali Ahmadov, deputy chief of governing New Azerbaijan Party.
According to item 5 of article 101 of the Azerbaijani Constitution, one can not be elected president more than twice. Term of presidential office is five years in Azerbaijan. Chairman of Azerbaijan's Constitutional Court Farhad Abdullayev says a referendum can be held to extend presidential term of office.
"Democratic society is being formed in Azerbaijan. Various viewpoints, initiatives, different principles of activities of governmental institutions and different approaches and opinions is an integral part of a freedom of expression which is key to a civil society," Farhad Abdullayev, chairman of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan, said in his interview with Trend .
"The Constitutional article banning one person to be elected president more than twice is not consistent with democratic principles and restricts democracy," MP Siyavush Novruziv, deputy executive secretary of NAP, said to Trend earlier.
Ahmadov said NAP will propose to put this issue on agenda in next parliamentary meetings. "I think changes to the Constitution will gain support of majority of MPS," Ahmadov added.
MP Fazail Ibrahimli, deputy chief of the opposition Civil Solidarity Party and MP Sabir Hajiyev, chief of opposition Civil Union Party supported holding referendum in order to make changes to Constitutional article regarding presidential term of office.
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