Azerbaijan, Baku, 24 June / Trend corr S. Agayeva/ "Free and just elections in every democratic country is not only calculation of votes but also ensuring free choice right for citizens," US Ambassador in Azerbaijan Anne Derse said at an international conference in Baku on 24 June.
"That means voters must have the right to voice their different views, as well as criticism. So, they must have the free assembly right," she said.
Derse highly appreciated the role of media in holding free and democratic elections in the country. "Free media must not be a tool in the hands of the authorities, political parties and leaders," said Derse.
According to Ambassador, United States is ready to support Azerbaijan on its way to leadership in the region as an independent and democratic country. " Azerbaijan may achieve the goal and that requires only efforts. Upcoming presidential elections will provide good opportunities to implement the goals."
Azerbaijan will host the presidential elections on 15 October. Musavat party has already nominated its Chairman Isa Gambar, Azerbaijan Democratic Party - Sardar Jalaloglu, the Greens Party nominated Mais Gulaliyev, the Popular Front Party of Unified Azerbaijan nominated Gudrat Hasanguliyev and Musair Musavat nominated Hafiz Hajiyev. The head of the public forum For Azerbaijan Eldar Namazov stands for presidency as an independent candidate. The governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) will nominate country's current President Ilham Aliyev. Pro-governmental parties Ana Vatan and Social Prosperity Party intend to support Ilham Aliyev at the elections. Bloc Azadlig uniting three opposition parties (Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Citizen and Development Party, Liberal Party) intends to boycott the elections.