Azerbaijan, Baku, 23 June / Trend corr. E.Babayev / Differences regarding participation in the upcoming presidential elections occurred amongst the oppositional MP group of Musavat party, represented in the Azerbaijani Parliament. "I believe that we should participate in the elections even in very difficult conditions," MP Nasib Nasibli, a member of Musavat, told Trend .
The Parliament of Azerbaijan passed the Bill on Supplements and Changes into the Election Code on 2 June. According to the Bill, the presidential candidates are prohibited to conduct election campaign in the state-owned TV channels, radios and newspapers, to stick agitation papers on walls and private enterprises, with the term of election campaign being shortened from four months to 75 days. Furthermore, the number of signatures required for the registration of the presidential candidates has been decreased from 45,000 to 40,000. Candidates do not have to make deposits for election campaign. They will only collect signatures. Opposition remained dissatisfied with the supplements and changes.
Five MPs represent Musavat in the Parliament.
Nasibli said that he do not participate in the discussions of Musavat regarding the elections. "I think that one can use of boycott as a political tactics only through believe in its successful result. At present, there are not such conditions. The possible boycott of the elections may have lead to worse results," Nasibli said.
Another member of Musavat MP group, MP Panah Huseyn told Trend on 23 June that it would be wrong to participate in the elections at present situation in the country. "Taking into consideration the state of press, current state in political organizations and other political conditions, I oppose to participate in the presidential elections. However, I supported the idea to participate in the elections until recently. Now, I consider no necessary to go to the elections," Huseyn said.
Azerbaijan will host the presidential elections on 15 October 2008.
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