Azerbaijan, Baku, 5 February / Trend corr. S.Ilhamgizi / The Azerbaijani National Independent Party (ANIP) will make a decision to participate in the upcoming presidential elections in April, Fuad Muhtarov, ANIP general-secretary, who is presently carrying out the chairman's duties, reported to Trend.
Ayaz Rustamov, the party chairman, resigned due to the health problems in the end of 2007. The new chairman
will be elected during the meeting of the party in 2008. The meeting will be summoned by ANIP Central Council.
Muhtarov stated that an ANIP meeting will be held on 17 February. A new chairman of the party will be elected, as well as a decision of participation in the approaching presidential election will be taken during the meeting.
"A group was established within ANIP in connection with the impending presidential elections. The group became familiar with the pre-election state in the country, the possible participation in the elections and the development of the document of proposals which will be submitted to the meeting. According to Muhtarov, the meeting should be held within 45 days after the meeting of the Central Council.
ANIP was the first party received registration in Azerbaijan in 1992. Etibar Mammadov had been the founder and chairman of the party by 2004. Presently, Mammadov is the deputy chairman of the International Democratic Alliance.