"Union for Democracy" finds March 18 referendum in Azerbaijan illegitimate

The "Union for Democracy" (UD) that unites the oppositional parties of Azerbaijan has stated that the referendum on March 18 on amendments to the Constitution of Azerbaijan was illegitimate.

The UD's statement that has arrived to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent says that the referendum was illegitimate "because of absence on voting quorum and total falsification of its totals."

"The data of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) that voter turnout was over 70 percent is an obvious falsifications. Actually, the figure was five times smaller, and even it was reached by use of administrative resources and compulsory delivery of budget-funded employees to polling stations," Beibala Abil, deputy chair of the Party of "Classical" People's Front of Azerbaijan (PCPFA), in his conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Mr Abil has also emphasized that "law violations had accompanied the whole referendum campaign." "The CEC had rejected, without any grounds, registration of the agitation group named 'Azerbaijan National Republic' created by the 'Union for Democracy'. As a result, we were deprived of any chances to campaign on the free-of-charge basis in state-owned newspapers and on air of the public television. The propaganda campaign had passed on unequal terms. Seven agitation groups were campaigning for the amendments, and only two groups - against them," he has added.

"CEM&DT head: Azerbaijani referendum cannot be regarded democratic," "Azerbaijani opposition challenges voter turnout at referendum."