Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 13/ Trend , A. Huseynbala/ Azerbaijani opposition party says it is illegal to impose restrictions on participation of its members in referendum on amendments to the Constitution are illegal.
"It will be secret ballot. Each member of the party must express their own opinion in the process," chairman of the Adalat party and MP Ilyas Ismayilov said.
Azerbaijan will hold referendum vote on amendments to the Constitution on March 18.
Thus far, the CEC has registered New Azerbaijan, City, Progress, Law and Democracy and Civil Society initiative groups. Prosperous village, Free Speech, Azerbaijan People's Republic and National Independence initiative groups were not registered.
The election constituencies have registered 124 initiative groups.
The Constitution was adopted in 1995. Amendments and additions were made in 2002.
It is wrong for the chairmen of some parties not to take part in referendum and urge members of the party to follow their example. "Everybody must have their say during the vote. It is wrong step to announce beforehand that they oppose amendments to the Constitution," MP said.
Ismayilov said his party will not cooperate with any referendum initiative group during the campaign. Each member of the party has a right to make their own choice, Ismayilov said.
Adalat Party was founded in 1993. In 1996, the party joined a different opposition party, the Democratic Party. However, in 2000 Adalat was then re-established by separating from the Democratic Party. MP Ilyas Ismaylov has been the chairman of the party since 2001. Ismaylov was a candidate for the presidential post during the elections in 2003.
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