The distribution of ballot papers started for the nationwide voting (referendum) to be held on September 26, 2016.

During the event which took place at the Press of the Milli Majlis and attended by the CEC members, administration and colleagues of the Secretariat, as well as chairmen and secretaries of Constituency Election Commissions, the representatives of international and foreign organizations, mass media and other interested subjects implied in law were provided with free access to participation. On September 14, 2016 ballot papers on the election constituencies covering the precincts established in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, diplomatic missions and consulates of Azerbaijan to foreign countries and ships swimming as implied in the Election Code, also generally 36 election constituencies that embody the distant regions of the country were handed over to the relevant Con.EC chairmen with the participation of chairmen and secretaries of the Con.ECs basing on an act including the number, date and time of issuing the ballot paper.

At the activity the mass media was thoroughly informed on the requirements of the Election Code concerning the preparation and deliver of the ballot papers and on the arrangement of distributing ballot papers, thereby to guarantee transparency and openness, media representatives were provided free access to broadcast all the stages, meanwhile the questions interesting to journalists regarding the procedures were responded to.

After the ballot papers compiled under the protection ensured by the Special State Security Service are issued to Con.ECs, relevant bodies of the Ministry of Interior Affairs implements the security of their transfer, maintenance and distribution to Precinct Election Commissions.

It is worth noting that after the text, format, number and preparation rules of ballot papers in the nationwide voting (referendum) have been approved by the Central Election Commission within the timeframe defined by law, the ballot papers started to be printed from August 8, 2016 and by the Commission decision, 5280924 (five million two hundred and eighty thousand nine hundred and twenty four) ballot papers were printed. Pursuant to the Election Code, ballot papers shall be provided to PECs by Con.ECs at least 3 days prior to the voting day after they have been issued to Con.ECs.

Media and Public relations department
CEC Secretariat