Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 24 / Trend , J.Babayeva /
The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan rejected two complaints by the Republic initiative group that was established by the opposition Musavat party.
The complaints were due to the pressure on members of initiative group during collecting of signatures in Ganja City and Jalilabad region. The Ganja police said that members of the initiative group were detained due to population's complaints. Citizens argued that members of this initiative group carried out anti-Israel propaganda.
Detention of Musavat's initiative group members' is not connected with collection of signatures, CEC member Ramiz Ibrahimov said.
Republic authorized official failed to give concrete facts on pressure.
Another complaint was due to pressure on voters whose signatures collected the Republic initiative group in Jalilabad. District Police Department did not confirm the facts of pressure on voters, on the contrary, referring to the complaints of the same citizens to members of the initiative group. The latter, according to voters, collecting signatures under another pretext, and not in connection with the referendum, CEC member Gabil Orujov said.
Most members of CEC voted against the complaints, only two members voted in favour.
Member of the opposition Umid party initiative group returned membership lists to CEC, CEC chairman Mazahir Panahov said.
The referendum regarding additions and changes to article 29 of the Constitution will take place in Azerbaijan on Mar. 18.
Up to now, 14 initiative groups have been established. Almost all of them were issued referendum membership lists.
Forty-five initiative groups have been registered in district election commissions.
The Constitution of Azerbaijan was adopted in 1995, and addition and changes were made to it in 2002.
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