ACTIONS BY ARMENIANS TO HOLD "REFERENDUM" IS ILLEGAL – AZERI CEC CHAIRMAN
Author: S.Ilhamgizi

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 30 2006

The actions of the Armenian separatists to hold a so-called
"referendum" in Nagorno-Karabakh is doing nothing but attracting
attention upon themselves, the Chairman of the Central Election
Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC), Mazahir Panahov, informed Trend.

Armenian separatists plan to hold a so-called "referendum" in
Nagorno-Karabakh on 10 December, which is the occupied Azerbaijani
territory, to implement their "constitution".

Panahov stressed that the efforts of the Armenian separatists to hold
a "referendum" and any other actions are illegal. "Such measures are
aimed at only attracting attention onto themselves. We will discuss
this issue and if necessary the CEC will provide an official statement
on this issue. Even the international organizations have expressed
their feelings in which they stressed that the events taking place
in the self-voted regime are illegal. Therefore, there is no reason
to be concerned," Panahov said.

In addition, he stated that repeat elections will be held in 3
municipalities, in which the results of voting on 6 October were
canceled. The CEC will announce the date of the repeat elections. "We
will try to hold these election in the near future," Panahov stressed.

He added that at the beginning of December, the representatives of the
Azerbaijani Government will hold a meeting in the Venice Commission
of the Council of Europe and discuss the Electoral Code.

According to the CEC Chairman, the laws are always in need of
improvement and the reforms will be continued.

"Azerbaijan closely co-operates with the bodies of the Council of
Europe because Azerbaijan is a member of the organization. This
co-operation will continue in the future," Panahov emphasized.