Azerbaijan, Baku, 15 August / Trend corr. E.Babayev / Azerbaijani opposition Umid Party considers that non-participation of most opposition parties in the presidential elections cannot cause negative response amongst international organizations.
"I dare say that international organizations will not state that the elections took place in non-alternative conditions," Igbal Agazade, presidential contender from Umid party, told Trend .
So far, 12 contenders have submitted their documents to the Central Election Commission (CEC) to participate in the presidential elections.
Three opposition parties (Popular Front Party, Liberal Party and citizen and Development Party), which is united in the Azadlig bloc, and Classical Popular Front Party made a decision to boycott the upcoming presidential elections. The Open Society, Musavat, Civil Solidarity, Democratic, Great establishment, Azadlig parties and Eldar Namazov, head of the Public Forum For the name of Azerbaijan refused to participate in the elections.
Parties consider that non-participation in the elections will cause an opinion that the process was held in non-alternative conditions.
Agazade said that international organizations hold consultations with Umid regarding the elections. "Perhaps, international organizations will clear their positions regarding the most Azerbaijani opposition parties took a decision not to participate in the elections. However, no statement is expected to be made like neither opposition contender participated in the process due to the elections were held in non-alternative conditions. If someone did not participate in the elections, he cannot say that it took place in non-alternative conditions. I hope that electorate will see me as an alternative candidate. The fact that most opposition parties will not participate in the elections will not affect voters' activity," Agazade stated.
Umid party was founded in 1993. In 2002, the Civil Solidarity party joined Umid. Igbal Agazade, chairman of CSP is an MP in the Parliament.
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