Azerbaijan, Baku, 25 August / Trend corr. R.Novruzov / The Unites States Senator Richard Lugar states Azerbaijan's transition to new stage of development of democratic state.
"The election process in Azerbaijan has improved and the United States expect the upcoming presidential elections will be held in democratic and fair conditions," Lugar said.
Senator touched upon the issues regarding the upcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan in the meeting with Azerbaijani state officials.
"I am sure that the Azerbaijani society has become more democratic and the forthcoming elections will be held in transparence and democratic conditions," Lugar said.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) has confirmed candidatures of the chairman of the chairman of the Greens Party Mais Gulaliyev, the chairman of the Azerbaijani Unified Popular Front Party Gudrat Hasanguliyev, the chairman of the Muasir Musavat party Hafiz Hajiyev, the chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party Fuad Aliyev and the chairman of the Umid Party Igbal Agazade, Yashar Ahmadov (an unemployed person), Alimukhtar Akbarov (a pensioner), Sevinj Guliyeva (a junior nurse at the Sumgayit Central Clinic Hospital), Vugar Seyidov (a doctor) and Gudrat Isagov (a senior scientist of the Physics Institute of the Azerbaijani National Academy of Sciences), a former chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Supreme Assembly Gulamhuseyn Alibayli, the senior advisor of Madaniyyet (Culture) newspaper Teymur Guliyev, the editor-in-chief of Ekspertiza (Examination) newspaper Suleyman Guliyev, chairman of Great Establishment Party, Fazil Gazanfaroglu and independent candidate Fikrat Ahadov (an editor of the scientific and methodological magazine of the Education Ministry), Arif Aliyev (an unemployed person) and Ali Agayevli (the director of the juridical, economic and social research centre).
Candidates have to collect 40,000 signatures within 10 days in order to pass registration in CEC. CEC has officially registered the candidature of the incumbent President Ilham Aliyev.
US Senator's visit to Azerbaijan is implemented within his tour to Nabucco countries.
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