"The government creates some kind of agenda, the opposition follows...”

As Azerbaijan prepares for early presidential elections scheduled for February 7 next year, six candidates have decided to compete for the top post in the political arena.

The current President Ilham Aliyev was joined by Deputy Zahid Oruj, Chairman of the United People's Front of Azerbaijan party, Deputy Gudrat Hasanguliyev, Chairman of the National Front party, Deputy Razi Nurullayev, chairman of the Great Renaissance Party, Deputy Fazil Mustafa. Besides them, Elshad Musayev, chairman of the Great Azerbaijan Party, and Fuad Aliyev, former chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, nominated candidates.

However, notable absences from the candidate roster are the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan and the Musavat Party, both opting out of the electoral process. Their decision, justified by the absence of a democratic environment and equal opportunities for candidates, has sparked criticism on social media.

Arif Hajili, the head of the Musavat Party, explained in an interview with Radio Azadlig, clarified that the party's decision was not tantamount to boycotting elections. He cited the unexpected scheduling of the presidential elections, making it logistically challenging to carry out preparatory work. Hajili emphasized the need for time to form coalitions, determine a single candidate, and engage in promotional activities.

Critics argue that participating in the elections could allow opposition parties to leverage even minimal propaganda opportunities. Hajili recalled past experiences, such as the 2016 referendum, where despite challenges, the Musavat Party faced hurdles in collecting and presenting signatures due to restricted access to propaganda opportunities.

Ilham Hussein, a member of the Presidium of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, reflected on the evolving political landscape. During previous elections, opposition parties could at least imitate a pre-election government, providing some semblance of a fair process. However, the current scenario is markedly different, with arrests of journalists meant to observe and expose potential electoral fraud.

Hussein argued that the government's insistence on opposition participation in these elections signifies a shift in strategy. Previously, the government did not actively seek opposition involvement, but now there is a persistent effort to legitimize the electoral process by involving opposition parties.

Responding to these assertions, Hikmet Babaoglu, a member of the governing board of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party,  in an interview with Turan emphasized Azerbaijan's status as a legal, democratic state. He acknowledged potential law violations but cautioned against generalizing them to the entire electoral system, emphasizing the need for renewed trust in the electoral process.

Azer Gasimli, head of the Institute of Political Management, stressed the importance of preparation for elections. He argued that opposition parties should have strategized, developed plans, and established communications in advance. Gasimli asserted that opposition parties should have engaged in proactive measures rather than following the government's agenda.