AKIPRESS.COM - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has brought forward the date of a planned presidential election to April 11 from October 17, a decree issued by the president's office said on February 5.

The decree says the decision was made in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Code, RFE/RL reported.

The Constitution was amended in a controversial referendum in September 2016.

The amendments have allowed Aliyev to order early elections.

In accordance with amendments to the Electoral Code introduced in December, early presidential polls must be announced at least 60 days in advance.

It was not immediately clear why Aliyev decided to bring the election forward.