Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr S. Ilhamgizi / Azerbaijani Bloc Azadlig considered to be the leading opposition force in Azerbaijan, the Musavat party and the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (DPA) agreed to stick to a unified position on changing the Election Code of Azerbaijan, the chairman of the DPA Sardar Jalaloghu reported to Trend on 30 October.
A meeting involving the deputy chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) Gulamhuseyn Alibeyli, the head of the Musavat party's election administration Arif Hajili, and the chairman of the DPA took place on 30 October. It was decided to make unified suggestions on the Election Code.
Jalaloglu said that the sides decided to make proposals regarding formation of the election commissions on a parity base between the Government and the opposition. According to their proposals, half of the seats in the commissions should belong to the government and half to opposition or Azadlig bloc and ADP and Musavat parties. Explaining the reasons why these parties should dominate, Jalaloghlu said that these parties go ahead for the number of votes in 2003 and 2005 parliamentary elections.
Due to refusal of other opposition parties against this initiative, Jalaloghlu said that it is impossible to establish a single model meeting the demands of all political forces. According to him, if Azadlig bloc and ADP and Musavat parties can acquire half of the seats in the election commissions, they will take into consideration the interests of all opposition parties supporting them. Jalaloghlu said that these three parties will demonstrate a single position during the discussions initiated by the Venice Commission with regards to the Electoral Code on 9 November in Baku.
In case no serious differences occur among the sides and if the political situation is favourable, four former allies may unify for the presidential elections to take place next year, Jalaloghlu said.
The Azadlig (Freedom) bloc was created in the summer of 2005 by Azerbaijan's three main opposition parties: the Popular Front Party (PFPA), Musavat Party and Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (DPA) for participation in the parliamentary elections. After the elections the Liberal Party of Azerbaijan and the Citizens and Development Party joined the bloc.