Azerbaijan Popular Front Party will not participate in the presidential election scheduled for February 7. Ali Karimli, the president of the party, informed about the decision.
On December 15, the Board of the “Musavat” party discussed the socio-political situation in the country and decided to refuse to participate in the early presidential elections. According to the press service of the party, the issue of arrest of Tofig Yagublu, a member of “Musavat” and the coordination center of the National Council of Democratic Forces, was first considered.
The criminal prosecution of Yagublu was regarded as pressure on “Musavat” and, in general, on the opposition in order to instill fear in society. The party demanded the release of Yagublu. The participants of the meeting also condemned the arrests of about 10 journalists over the past few days, including an employee of the Turan agency Hafiz Babala.
“Musavat” believes that these arrests were a continuation of pressure on freedom of speech and media. The party demanded the release of all arrested journalists and all political prisoners. As for the early presidential elections, it was noted that earlier “Musavat” called on the authorities to create a democratic environment before the elections, release all political prisoners, ensure freedom of assembly and expression, and ensure the representation of all political forces in election commissions. However, these calls were ignored.
On the contrary, after the appointment of early presidential elections, the repression intensified. “The authorities suddenly called snap elections without prior public discussions. Thus, they minimized the possibilities of the opposition and the democratic strata of the population. “This indicates the desire of the authorities to turn the elections into a formal procedure,” the statement of “Musavat.”
Considering that, as well as discussions in the party and the results of public polls, “Musavat” decided not to participate in the presidential elections on February 7.
