ArmInfo. The constitutional referendum has kicked off in Nagorno-Karabakh. All the 280 polling stations opened on Feb 20 at 8 am local time, ArmInfo's correspondent reports from Stepanakert.
102,557 citizens of the NKR (69% of the population) will be able to go to the polls. As many as 104 international observers from 30 countries, as well as 103 local observers will monitor the course of the referendum. The concept of the NKR constitutional reforms was presented in August 2016.
Following public and political debates, the NKR Parliament took a decision on Jan 17, 2017 to hold a referendum. The decision was taken with 20 pros, 7 cons and 1 abstention. Under the current constitution, the NKR is a semi- presidential republic. Dashnaktsutyun and Revival factions voted against the document, Movement-88 faction abstained from voting, while Free Motherland and Democracy factions voted for the document. Under the current constitution, the NKR is a semi-presidential republic. The new draft constitution implies transition to a presidential form of government with wide powers of the Parliament.