YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. The Constitution will raise to a new level the preparedness of Karabakh against all challenges, Ashot Ghoulyan – Speaker of the Parliament of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR), told reporters, reports “Armenpress”.

“The Constitution will enhance to  a new level the preparedness of Karabakh against all challenges, both internal and external threats. I think this is one of the main missions of the Constitution. It will strengthen the rules that are directed towards the security provision of our country, the development of democratic system, guarantee of human rights, as well as increasing the effectiveness of the public administration and local self-government”, Ghoulyan said.

He stated that the referendum will strengthen the idea that was expressed in the 1988-1989s. “The country will transform from a semi-presidential system to the presidential one. I have personally took part in those legislative developments, and we managed to find the right balance which must be definitely included in the Constitution”, the NKR Parliament Speaker said, adding that after the voting a number of meetings are expected with the representatives of observation missions in Nagorno Karabakh.

Commission Chair of 1/8 polling station Naira Petrosyan said the citizens are actively taking part in the voting.

“The observation group from Germany highly appreciated the voting process. Both young and elderly people are taking part in the voting. No violation has been registered yet”, she said.

The referendum on the draft Constitutional changes has kicked off in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR).

280 polling stations of 11 electoral districts were opened on February 20, at 08:00, one of which is in the NKR representation in Armenia, and the one in “Shushi” correctional facility for convicts.

102 thousand 757 citizens have a right to take part in the referendum.        

2 thousand 222 commission members will hold the constitutional referendum in the polling stations, from which 68% is non-partisan.  

104 international observers from more than 30 countries, 103 local observers, as well as more than 80 media representatives will follow the voting process. The polling stations will be closed at 20:00.