Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 6 / Trend A. Huseynbala /
Azerbaijani opposition party conducts consultations on joint participation in the parliamentary elections
"Participation of leading opposition parties in the elections as a bloc is a serious topic for discussions now," Umid party chairman, MP Iqbal Agazade told Trend today.
Umid party chairman, MP Iqbal Agazade addressed with a proposal in late 2009 to announce 2010 as the year of the democratic elections. The previous parliamentary elections were held Nov. 6, 2005. The parliamentary elections are held on a majority system in 125 constituencies in Azerbaijan. After making additions and changes to the constitution in 2002, a proportional election system was cancelled.
The party chairman also voiced a proposal to register opposition members willing to be candidates in constituencies in a united center.
Agazade also proposed to set up staffs, including a central one in Baku and on constituencies - in regions.
Agazade said a major goal is to hold the parliamentary elections democratically.
"Some people support my proposals on participation of opposition in the elections. But other parties voiced different proposals. Now we operate to jointly discuss all proposals and achieve a common opinion," the party chairman said.
He said a preliminary discussion must complete by late January.
"The main dispute is to determine candidates. I think as a result of discussions we will be able to make a decision meeting interests of all," Agazade said.
Opposition Umid party was founded in 1993. The Civil Solidarity party united with Umid party in 2002. The Civil Solidarity party chairman Iqbal Agazade was elected Umid party chairman. Agazade is MP.
"I have no idea about Iqbal Agazade's proposals concerning announcement of 2010 the year of the democratic elections. But different proposals on organized participation of opposition in the parliamentary elections are voiced," Musavat party central executive office Arif Hajili told Trend today.
He said it is early to voice a simple proposal on participation of Musavat in the elections.
"We think that the opposition's major issue must not be the way of participating in the parliamentary elections. First, we must achieve restoration of a proportional election system. Moreover, one of priority issues to hold the democratic elections are change of election commissions' forming and revision of opening deposits during registration of candidates," Hajili said.
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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