The Movement for Democracy and Prosperity (MDP) does not recognize the results of extraordinary presidential elections

Baku / 10.02.18 / Turan: 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. The MDP assessed the president's decree on the appointment of these elections as another "encroachment on democracy, not respect 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, improving the electoral legislation, testifies to the authorities' absence of willingness hold free and fair elections in a situation of healthy competition, equal to adversarial conditions," the MDP statement said on February 10 said.

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 major alternatives ".

The nomination of the incumbent head of state to the post of president four times in a year on 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, the mood of the international public against Azerbaijan in solving the main problem of the country - the Karabakh conflict and 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.

The 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. If elections are held, the MDP will not recognize their results.

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

The MDP was established in February 2015 under the leadership of a prominent political figure, a representative of civil society and a scientist-economist Gubad Ibadoglu.

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