...

Azerbaijani opposition referendum agitation group protests against small ether time

Politics Materials 18 February 2009 20:02 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 18 /corr. Trend A.Huseynbala / The agitation group on referendum, founded by Azerbaijani opposition parties, protests against the fact that free ether time on the television and radio is little.

"In spite of our protests, no changes were made either to the volume of ether time or to the time of speech on ether and format of speech," Musavat Party, which founded agitation group "Republicans" told Trend on Feb. 18.

The referendum campaign will begin Feb. 18 and end March 16 at midnight.

Upon the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC), 90 minutes of ether time were determined on the public television, 90 minutes - public radio.

Ether time on the television will begin 18:15, on the radio- 20:15.

During the agitation period, the free ether time will be allotted to agitation groups four times both on the television and on the radio.

In Azerbaijan on March 18 takes place the referendum regarding the introduction of additions and changes in 29 articles of constitution.

Azerbaijan will hold a referendum on March 18 to amend the Constitution.

The CEC registered the New Azerbaijan Party, Shahar, Tereggi, Huquq Va Demokratiya, Vatandash Jamiyyati, For Long-Term Development, Zaka, Movement For Karabakh and the Republic and Republicans initiative groups. The Abad Kand, Azad Soz, Azerbaijan People's Republic and Milli Istiglal initiative groups failed to pass registration.

The Azerbaijani Constitution was adopted in 1995. Amendments and additions were made in 2002.

Thus, the representatives of authority, CEC, Public Broadcasting Company again demonstrated their disinterest in holding broad public discussions, party's statement says. "The limitation of possibilities for the meetings of opposition with the population on the eve of referendum, expression of alternative opinions is a clear example of the fact that the authorities stand aside public opinion," the document says.

These facts again prove that Azerbaijani government avoids the obligations before the international organizations to hold free and democratic elections, and also cause doubts that the referendum will be free, transparent, free and democratic, Musavat Party declares.

Do you have feedback? Contact our journalist at: [email protected]

Latest

Latest