Movement for Democracy and Prosperity Declares Non-recognition of Results of Extraordinary Presidential Elections

Baku / 10.02.18 / Turan: The Movement for Democracy and Prosperity (MDP) condemned the sudden appointment of extraordinary presidential elections in Azerbaijan without explanation of the reasons and need for them.

MDP assessed the President's decree on the appointment of these elections as another "encroachment on democracy and disrespect for the social and political forces, voters and the Azerbaijani people as a whole."

"This order on the appointment of early elections, signed without electoral reform or improvement of the electoral legislation, demonstrates that the authorities are not ready to hold free and fair elections in an environment of healthy competition and equally competitive conditions," the MDP statement said on February 10.

MDP casts doubt on the legitimacy of elections "hastily conducted with political prisoners in the country, the detention of journalists, bloggers and other activists in prisons, persecution of critics of the authorities, the elimination of free media and civil society, the restriction of the activities of political organizations, without the participation of independent local and international observation missions and key alternatives ".

The nomination of the incumbent head of state to the post of President for the fourth time in a row in the year of the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan People's Republic (1918-20) will not promote democracy but strengthen authoritarianism in the republic.

The development of the processes under this scenario will contribute to deepening the political opposition in the society, further aggravating the socio-economic problems and the mood of the international public against Azerbaijan in solving the main problem of the country, the Karabakh conflict, and will seriously damage the country's international image.

Therefore, MDP urges the authorities to demonstrate their loyalty to the democratic values ​​that were founded in Azerbaijan 100 years ago.

MDP considers it inappropriate to participate in the early elections, taking into account the lack of a democratic atmosphere and legislative, supervisory and regulatory institutions and mechanisms that provide free activity and equal opportunities for all candidates.

In the event that elections are still held, MDP will not recognize their results.

MDP is ready for joint actions, discussions and consultations with democratic forces that share its approach.

· MDP was established in February 2015 under the leadership of a prominent politician, a representative of civil society and an economist Gubad Ibadoglu.

** On February 5, President Ilham Aliyev appointed extraordinary presidential elections for April 11. The National Council of Democratic Forces announced the boycott of the elections. The Musavat Party refused to participate in the elections. The non-recognition of the election results was announced by the Republican Alternative movement. -06D--