Editor's note: opinions of heads of political parties regarding elections were added
Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov.11 / Trend, M.Aliyev /
The political forces who won the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are satisfied with the results.
The Azerbaijani parliamentary elections were held in accordance with democratic values, in a fair and transparent atmosphere and reflect the peoples' will, Azerbaijani ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) executive secretary Ali Ahmadov said a meeting with leaders of several political parties in the country.
"The Azerbaijani society has accepted the parliamentary elections' results, and this confirms the democratic electoral process in Azerbaijan," Ahmadov said.
Azerbaijan held the parliamentary elections Nov. 7. The voter turnout hit about 50.14 percent (roughly 2.48 million voters) in Azerbaijan, the Central Election Commission (CEC) Elections Information Center reported.
The CEC reported that 690 candidates are running for the parliamentary elections.
Previous parliamentary elections were held in November 2005. Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are held by the majority system in 125 constituencies.
According to Ahmedov, some political parties are trying to cover their failures in the elections with statements about the alleged lack of democracy and transparency in the elections.
There is no reason not to accept the election results, said the chairman of the opposition United Popular Front Party Gudrat Hasanguliyev. "Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan can be considered fully legitimate," said Hasanguliyev.
Chairman of the pro-governmental Ana Vatan Party, Fazil Agamali said that the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan were held in accordance with the electoral legislation of the country. According to him, except three polling stations, there was no interference in the electoral process. "In general, the elections were held in accordance with the international standards," said Agamali.
Chairman of the Civil Solidarity Party Sabir Rustamkhanli noted that such number of observers had never observed elections in Azerbaijan, and it shows the progress of Azerbaijan in the electoral process. At the same time, the party chairman noted the difficulty of candidates during the registration process. "Some parties say about the failure of the elections and it is disrespectful to all citizens who went to vote," said Rustamkhanli.
Chairman of the opposition Democratic Reforms Party Asim Mollazade said that not only international organizations, but also political parties had the opportunity to monitor elections and be convinced of their transparency. He noted that a real election campaign was conducted in Azerbaijan before the parliamentary elections. According to Mollazade, along with this there is a need to improve the political culture of some political parties in Azerbaijan. "Some of the candidates who lost in the elections are trying to cast shadow on the entire electoral process," said Mollazade.
Chairman of the pro-governmental Social Welfare Party Khanhuseyn Kazimli said that the statements on violations during the parliamentary elections are disrespectful to almost 50,000 observers.
Chairman of the opposition Great Establishment Party Fazil Mustafa said that despite some violations at some polling stations, in general the elections were held in a democratic environment.
"There will be a constructive opposition at the Azerbaijani Parliament," Mustafa said. According to him, statements by the leaders of some parties after the elections have no legal force. "Illegitimacy of the election can be confirmed by the Constitutional Court, but not by the leader of any political party," Mustafa said.
As a result of the meeting, a statement was issued reflecting the legitimacy of the elections.