Azerbaijan, Baku, 15 July / Trend / E.Babayev / The Azerbaijani Central Elections Commission (CEC) stated that non-participation of some oppositional parties in the elections cannot damage the legitimacy of the process.
"It is necessary to participate in the elections to clarify to what extent they meet the international standards. Otherwise, any statement by any non-participant will be of no importance," Mazahir Panahov, the chairman of the CEC, told journalists on 15 July.
The presidential elections in Azerbaijan are scheduled for mid-October. The Central Elections Commission will officially launch the election campaign at the end of July and announce exactly the elections date.
Azadlig bloc, uniting three oppositional parties (the Popular Front, the Civil Development and the Liberal party), stated that they would boycott the elections. This statement will be discussed and taken a final decision at the Majlis of the bloc. After injection of changes and supplements into the Election Code at Milli Majlis (the Azerbaijani parliament) on 2 June 2008, the Musavat party, and the Azerbaijan Democrat party (ADP), which decided to participate in the elections, stated that they would review their decision. The parties will announce their final decision at the beginning of August. Moreover, the Green Party nominated Mais Gulaliyev, the Azerbaijani Unified Popular Front Party - Gudrat Hasanguliyev, and Muasir Musavat - Hafiz Hajiyev. Eldar Namazov, the head of Social Forum of 'For Azerbaijan' will participate independently in the elections. The ruling New Azerbaijan Party, intends to nominate Ilham Aliyev, its chairman and the current Azerbaijani President.
According to Panahov, political forces exist to participate in the elections. "Nothing can be achieved through not participating in the elections. However, I do not feel anxiety among opposition. Perhaps, somebody will not join the elections, whilst majority confirms their participation in the elections," he said.
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