OSCE interested in democratic conduct of referendum in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Ganja, March 6 / Trend , V. Mammadov/

The OSCE is interested in a democratic conduct of the referendum in Azerbaijan to amend the Constitution, the OSCE Azerbaijan Office acting head Alexis Shahtantinski told reporters.

Azerbaijan will hold referendum vote to amend the Constitution's 29 articles on March 18.

The OSCE Baku Office is holding a number of events to educate citizens and eliminate interference of the local bodies with the referendum, Shahtantinski said.

The OSCE organizes the events together with the Presidential Administration and the Central Election Commission.

Information debate is underway in Ganja at the moment. Heads of 28 administrative bodies and chairmen of 42 constituencies are attending the debate.

Ganja is located 365 kilometers outside Baku.

Azerbaijan must be interested in conducting referendum under international standards, Shahtantinski said earlier at the information session in Baku on March.

"I am confident that Azerbaijan will achieve progress in the conduct of referendum," he said.

Azerbaijani referendum groups launched campaigning on Feb. 18. The campaign will end by 00:00 on March 16.

The free airtime is allotted on the Public Television at 18:15 - 19:45 and on Saturdays and at 20:15 - 21:34 on Wednesdays.  

The Central Election Commission has registered the New Azerbaijan, City, Progress, Law and Democracy and Civil Society initiative groups. The Prosperous Village, Free Speech, Azerbaijan People's Republic and National Independence initiative groups were denied registration.