Azerbaijan, Baku, 21 August / Trend corr. E.Babayev / The Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) considers that it is incorrect for the opposition parties boycotting elections to device a document regarding illegitimacy of elections beforehand.
"Devising such document before the elections is an unserious matter. The elections should take place and after it is possible assess it," Mazahir Panahov, the CEC Chairman, told journalists on 21 August.
The presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on 15 October. Azadlig bloc, uniting three opposition parties (the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, the Liberal Party and the Citizen and Development Party), the Classical Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Open Society, Musavat, Civil Solidarity, Democratic, Great Establishment, Azadlig, National Independence, Social Democrat parties, as well as Eldar Namazov, the head of the Public Forum of 'For Azerbaijan', refused to participate in the elections with own candidates
Azadlig bloc's Board of Chairmen made a decision to establish a co-operation centre of the parties, which refused to join the presidential elections, at the meeting held last week. Fuad Mustafyev, the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan functionary, was authorized to negotiate on the behalf of the bloc in this regard. The main principle of the co-operation is to accept and confirm the elections as illegitimate, Mustafayev said. "We will co-operate with the parties, which accept this principle," he said.
According to Panahov, it is not understandable to assess the elections before the beginning of this process.
"The elections will take place in two months. Devising a document on non-recognition of the elections' results is similar to some methods of the international observation missions. Some of them develop document before the observation of the elections, as well," the CEC's Chairman said, speaking about the statements, which reported that some opposition parties' non participation in the elections reduces the international community's interests for the elections process. "It is an unimportant statement. The international organizations' attitude is not measured with the attitude of the opposition or the authorities. The international organizations have definite standards. For example, the Council of Europe (CE) acts due to its own standards. There is always great international attention to the elections regardless of where the elections are held. There is not any harm for such interest on the elections in Azerbaijan, whilst on the contrary, it is important for us. If we contact with many international officials, it will be useful for our country," the CEC Chairman said. More than 1000 observers are expected to follow the elections.
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