Applicants are dissatisfied with the barriers from the CEC to independent candidates

Baku/06.01.24/Turan: Candidates for the status of candidate in the early presidential elections held a protest rally in front of the CEC building, telling reporters about the deliberate unwillingness of the CEC to approve their candidacies.

According to Namizad Safarov, the CEC ignores the demands for a meeting with him, Matlab Mutallimov and Sarvan Kerimov. "The three candidates intend to discuss with the CEC members the difficulties of collecting 40,000 votes due to the holidays and cold weather, as well as due to insufficient time allowed to collect signatures. But the CEC does not want to meet with us," Safarov said.

Since January 1, about 10,000 signatures have been collected by Safarov's supporters, if he has five more days, he will be able collect another 45,000 signatures. The deadline for collecting signatures ends on January 7. Safarov said that it is impossible to fill out all the subscription lists in a week, since citizens are resting on a holiday and do not go to work. 

"The CEC ignores our requests to discuss the current situation with them. Under these conditions, it is impossible to collect 40,000 signatures in a week, we do not believe in the statements of other applicants about the subscription lists they submitted to the CEC. I do not believe the candidates who support the government and claim that they have no problems collecting signatures," Namizad Safarov said. He declared the illegality of the elections, the demand to "stop the electoral process with tragicomic events, and call new elections."

As an example, he pointed out that TV journalists of the pro-government TV channel “Real-TV” work in the CEC building, but independent journalists are not allowed there.

The candidate Sarvan Kerimov has collected 10,000 signatures, but due to the lack of time set by the CEC, it is difficult to collect another 30,000 signatures for admission to the elections.

He does not agree with the opinion about the undoubted leadership of Ilham Aliyev in the elections, as he "won the war." According to Kerimov, "it was not the president who won, but the people." Kerimov put forward the slogan of the rule of law over power," the candidate for the status of presidential candidate told reporters.

Kerimov read out an appeal to the CEC, in which he asks to extend the deadline for collecting signatures of voters due to the short time set by the CEC for this campaign. "I calculated that it takes 31 days to fill out all subscription lists, even without going around citizens' apartments. And we have been allocated 7 days," the applicant said. He called all authorities in Azerbaijan "subordinated to the family clan."

Sarvan Kerimov defiantly threw out 11 blank subscription lists in front of the CEC building.

Gulu Hasanov, a representative of the candidate for the elections Matlab Mutallibov, reported on a complaint filed with the CEC about insufficient time to collect signatures.

"Tomorrow, January 7, is the last day for collecting signatures.  The small number of days allowed for this stage is one of the obstacles in front of candidates who are not acceptable to the authorities in the elections," Hasanov said.

The candidate Mutallimov, who spoke next, announced a statement from the applicants containing concern about gross violations in the work of the CEC at the stage of collecting votes. "There are obstacles in front of independent candidates, the police prevent the collection of signatures, the CEC did not issue a decision to recognize us as participants in the electoral process. Pro-government applicants have been placed on preferential terms. Schools have been instructed to fill out subscription lists in favor of pro-government applicants. The CEC does not respond to requests and complaints from applicants, they are not allowed into the CEC building, " Mutallimov said.

He further stated: "The elections on February 7 do not differ from all previous ones in the number of violations, the government predetermined the victory of the incumbent president, these elections are a representation. We demand to stop the electoral process and appoint a new one. Otherwise, we will call on the people to refuse to participate in the vote." Mutallimov noted that if their demands are ignored, they will appeal to international organizations not to recognize the election results.

Early presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on February 7. In Azerbaijan, the president is elected for a seven-year term, and the president can participate in elections again for an unlimited number. The only registered candidate to date is the current President, Ilham Aliyev. 17 candidates submitted applications for participation in the elections.