Ali Kerimli: Most likely,we will ignore the election

In an interview with Turan and "Voice of America the  leader of the Popular Front Party, said that his party is not likely to take part in the upcoming parliamentary elections. "The PPFA operates within the National Council. After analyzing the pre-election situation a few weeks ago, we presented the public our  vision, which reads that  there is no normal political situation and legal framework for democratic elections in the country," he said.

Kerimli noted that there was a time when the government  was presented a specific proposal on the participation of the opposition in the elections. These suggestions included: the release of political prisoners, formation of election commissions, the elimination of obstacles to the registration of candidates, and so on. However, the authorities have ignored these appeals. "Therefore, our decision is likely to be in the rejection of the elections," he said.

PFPA leader also said that the opposition is willing to carry out reforms in a democratic way, through elections. "However, not only we, but also international organizations confirm that a peaceful change of power in Azerbaijan has become impossible." All this creates serious disasters in the future, he said.

"The forces represented in the National Council intend to continue a principled struggle. I will not speak pn behalf of other opposition groups. Simply, we will not participate in the play, where the names of the future deputies are known in advance," said Kerimli.

What are the mechanisms allowing to capture and prosecute violations during the upcoming elections? Karimli answered that until now  numerous methods and mechanisms were used, however, it gave nothing.

"During the last presidential elections  the OSCE has acknowledged that almost all the polling stations where they were observers (58%), were held with  serious violations. Now imagine what happened in areas where there was no OSCE observation! "said Kerimli.

Under such a situation, a little depends on the mechanisms or methods, when the authorities do not have the political will  to hold  fair elections, and  is openly engaged in fraud. Society must finally wake up and demand fair elections, he said.

In the meantime, the authorities are going in the other direction, without fear of social unrest and political upheavals. Therefore, sooner or later the authorities will face  public protests. People do not want more than to put up with this injustice, and rise to fight, said Ali Kerimli. -03В-