National Council supported PPFA decision to boycott Parliamentary elections

The National Council of Democratic Forces supports the decision of the Party of People's Front of Azerbaijan (PPFA) to boycott the early Parliamentary elections on September 1, and calls on all political forces that care about national interests to make the same decision. This is stated in the statement of the National Council on July 16.

"The National Council considers the September 1 elections not to be elections, but a cheap spectacle, the outcome of which is predetermined and planned in accordance with the personal wishes of Ilham Aliyev, and considers his participation in them unnecessary and harmful from the point of view of national interests," the document says.

The National Council believes that the institution of elections in Azerbaijan "has been destroyed by the purposeful policy of Ilham Aliyev, and citizens have no interest and trust in elections."

"There are already 3 weeks left before the announced deadline for the election campaign, but there is no pre-election atmosphere in the country. It is sad, but the government of Ilham Aliyev wants this to be the case. The authorities are going to these elections with 300 former political prisoners, stifling free media, suppressing civil society and political opposition. Election commissions are under full control of the authorities, and all possibilities for fraud are at the disposal of local and central election commissions. The civil society, opposition and independent observers are unable to control the voting and vote counting.

The ban on rallies and gatherings remains in force," the document says. It ought to be noted that 22 political parties have already announced that they will participate in the Parliamentary elections on September 1 with their candidates. Thus, the opposition "Musavat" Party announced the names of its candidates from 34 electoral districts, and the "REAL" Party – from 13 electoral districts.