On 17 March Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan Farhad Abdullayev has met with members of an ad-hoc committee to observe constitutional referendum in Azerbaijan led by representative of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Paul Wille.

Informing the visitors on the work done by the Constitutional Court over the past few years, judiciary and legal reforms, Farhad Abdullayev noted that at the present epoch, a democratic society is formed through conducting free elections and referendums. 

He mentioned that a referendum on amendments and supplements to the Azerbaijan Constitution was conducted in 2002 too as for the period since the first national constitution was adopted in 1995 the country had achieved rapid economic growth, integration into Euro-Atlantic structures and stronger protection of human rights and freedoms. 

The Chairman of the Constitutional Court pointed out that the March 18 referendum should be considered a social demand resulting from the development processes taking place in all spheres of life. 

He said that based on the necessity for the provisions ensuring more effective protection of human rights and freedoms, high standard of living for citizens, more democracy and development of self-governance, the Milli Majlis has decided to put the Referendum Act on making amendments and supplements to the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic to a nationwide vote. 

Farhad Abdullayev said the Constitutional Court widely discussed and approved the decision at its 24 December, 2008 session, noting that 29 articles are subjects to amendments and supplements during the referendum. 

The Chairman added that the referendum is a new institute in Azerbaijan, which he said is an embodiment of power of the people. He said no doubt that citizens having the right to vote will make their choice in accordance with their will, noting every condition will be created for that in polling stations. 

Paul Wille said his delegation is in Azerbaijan to observe voting process on the referendum day. 

During the meeting the visitors received answers to their questions and discussed other issues of mutual interest.