Number of Approved Presidential Candidates Rises to Fifteen

Baku / 24.02.18 / Turan: On February 24, the Central Electoral Commission approved the nomination of the candidatures of the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan Sardar Mammadov (Jalaloglu) and the head of the Citizen and Development Party Ali Aliyev for the presidency at the April 11 extraordinary elections. Both were nominated by their parties.

Thus, the number of presidential candidates nominated by the CEC has reached 15.

For official registration, candidates must collect at least 40,000 signatures of voters in the territory of at least 60 of the entire 125 districts. The deadline for accepting signatures of voters expires at 18:00 on March 12.

On February 14, the CEC approved the nomination of the current head of state, chairman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party Ilham Aliyev, head of the Liberal Democratic Party Fuad Aliyev, non-party member of parliament Zahid Oruj, member of the Bar Association Anar Umudov, and the head of the White Party Tural Abbasli.

On February 17, Gudrat Hasanguliyev, chairman of the United Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Faraj Guliyev, leader of the National Revival Movement Party, Araz Alizadeh, head of the Social-Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, and Hafiz Hajiyev, the leader of the Modern Musavat party, were nominated as presidential candidates.

In addition, little-known self-nominated Elshan Hasanov and Asif Mammadov were approved. Razi Nurullayev was nominated by the Initiative Front Men Group.

On February 20, CEC approved the self-nomination of Ramazan Bekirov.

** The National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) announced a boycott in the elections due to the lack of democratic conditions for their conduct. The Musavat Party and the Umid Party announced that they would not participate in the elections. The Republican Alternative Movement (ReAl), the NIDA Movement and the Movement for Democracy and Welfare declared about not recognizing the results of the elections.-06D-