Azerbaijan, Baku / Т corr S. Ilhamgizi / Bloc Azadliq, Musavat party and the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (DPA) considered to be the leading opposition forces in Azerbaijan oppose participation of the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) in organization of discussions over improvement of Azerbaijani Election Code to take place on 7 to 8 November, the head of Musavat Isa Gambar said to Trend on 31 November.
On 31 October bloc Azadliq, Musavat and DPA agreed to stick to unified viewpoint on changing the Election Code. The sides decided to suggest formation of election committees of the authorities and the opposition on a par. They urge one half of the commission should include the authorities and the other one - DPA, Musavat, the Liberal Party of Azerbaijan (LPA), and the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA).
A round table to focus on improvement of Azerbaijani Election Code will take place in Baku on 7 to 8 November. It will be organized by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe (CE) and the IFES, and will involve all political parties of Azerbaijan. Bloc Azadliq, DPA and Musavat rejected participation in the event. They do not want IFES to take part in organization of the round table and the meeting to be held in an extended format.
The 3 organizations oppose IFES's organization of discussions over improvement of the election legislation, for IFES does not deserve trust of political circles. Its recent years' activities in Azerbaijan do not satisfy the democratic force of the country, Gambar said. "On the other hand, round table format impedes efficient work. We are interested in discussions which may be productive," he said.
As for discontent of other opposition parties about the suggestion to include only 4 opposition parties in election committees, he said that they are ready to consider suggestions of other political forces. "Today it is important to form election committees on parity basis. Later, it will be possible to include representatives of all democratic forces in the commissions," he 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) in order to participate in the parliamentary elections. Later LPA and the Citizens and Development Party joined the bloc. Musavat left the bloc after entering the Parliament and DPA after changing its political course with respect to the authorities.
For the time being Azadlyg includes three opposition parties - the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, the Liberal party, and the Citizens and Development Party.