Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan.14/ Trend , A. Huseynbala/ Azerbaijan's opposition Musavat party established referendum campaign group on Jan. 14.
"The founding meeting of the Republicans referendum campaign group was attended by roughly 250 representatives. The documents passed at the meeting will be introduced to the Central Election Commission soon," head of the Central Executive Administration of Musavat party Arif Hajili.
Azerbaijan's governing partyhas launched New Azerbaijan and opposition Musavat party Republicans initiative groups. The Central Election Commission has issued notification about NAP initiative group's registration.
Moreover, Azadlig bloc which includes the Popular Front Party, the National Unity Movement, the Citizen and Development Party, the Musavat Party, the Umid Party and the Democrat Party, as well as the For Azerbaijan Public Forum and some non-government organizations decided to establish the Civil Movement for Republic and Garabag. The Union for Democracy, which includes Classic Popular Front, Azadlig bloc, National Democrat Party, Great Azerbaijan and People's Party has launched Azerbaijan People's Republic initiative group.
Deputy executive secretary of the governing party Mubariz Gurbanli said to Trend earlier that initiative groups established by opposition against referendum will not be efficient.
As many as 21 media leaders launched Free Speech Initiative Group on Jan. 10.
On the same day Azerbaijan Confederation of Trade Unions and some non-governmental organizations also established Initiative Group of Public Organizations.
In late December, Azerbaijan's parliament passed a decision to hold a referendum March 18 to amend 29 Articles of the Constitution. According to Article 152, the Constitution can only be amended via referendum. Additionally, Article 153 states that if the parliament or president proposes an amendment, the Constitutional Court must reach its own conclusions regarding the proposal before the referendum vote.
The Constitution was adopted in 1995. Amendments and additions were made in 2002.
Hajili said Republicans campaign group will include representatives of the Azerbaijan Popular Party, Liberal and Democrat parties.
Musavat party was founded in Baku in 1911. The party's was re-launched on Nov. 7, 1992. Gambar was elected chief of Musavat party with majority of votes. Isa Gambar was the former Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament in 1992 to1993 and was nominated for the 2003 presidential elections. The Party is represented by four MPs in the parliament.
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