Azerbaijani independence referendum, 1991 facts for kids
An independence referendum is a special vote where people decide on an important issue. On 29 December 1991, the country of Azerbaijan held such a vote. People were asked if they wanted Azerbaijan to become an independent country. This vote happened just three days after the Soviet Union officially broke apart. The results showed that almost everyone, 99.8% of voters, said "yes" to independence. A very high number of people, 95.3%, came out to vote.
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Azerbaijan's Vote for Independence
A referendum is like a big election where citizens vote on a single question. In this case, the question for people in Azerbaijan was whether their country should be independent. This was a huge decision because Azerbaijan had been part of the Soviet Union for many years.
The End of the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union was a very large country made up of many different republics, including Azerbaijan. By the end of 1991, the Soviet Union was falling apart. Many of its republics wanted to become independent nations. Azerbaijan was one of these republics. Holding a referendum was a way for the people to show their clear choice.
How the Vote Worked
On 29 December 1991, people across Azerbaijan went to polling stations to cast their votes. They had to choose "for" independence or "against" it. The process was designed to be fair and to reflect the will of the people. The high turnout showed that many citizens cared deeply about their country's future.
Results of the Referendum
The votes were counted very carefully. The results showed a huge desire for independence. Almost all the votes were in favor of Azerbaijan becoming its own country. This strong support helped Azerbaijan move forward as an independent nation.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 3,735,398 | 99.8 |
| Against | 9,068 | 0.2 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 6,708 | – |
| Total | 3,751,174 | 100 |
| Eligible voters and turnout | 3,936,174 | 95.3 |
| Source: Nohlen et al. | ||
The table above shows the final numbers. Out of nearly 3.75 million votes, only a small number were against independence. This overwhelming "yes" vote was a big moment in Azerbaijan's history. It marked the official start of Azerbaijan as a fully independent country.
