According to Reuters, Azerbaijan’s two main opposition parties expressed their disapproval of the upcoming snap election, which is expected to see President Ilham Aliyev extend his 20-year rule. They described the election as undemocratic and stated that they would not be putting forward any candidates.
The Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) announced that they would also be encouraging voters to abstain from participating in the election. Party leader Ali Karimli emphasized their desire for free and fair elections, but stated that they will not partake in what they see as a fabricated democracy.
Similarly, the Musavat party declared that they would not be nominating a candidate, but they did not explicitly call for a boycott on Feb. 7. Party leader Arif Hajily highlighted the absence of a free election in Azerbaijan for the past three decades, citing recent arrests of journalists and political activists as evidence that the next election would be no different.
Hajily informed Reuters of Musavat’s demands, which included freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, the release of all political prisoners, and reforms to the commission overseeing the elections.
Both Musavat and the PFPA were formed in the 1990s following Azerbaijan’s independence from the Soviet Union. However, they have consistently refused to participate in what they view as undemocratic elections, resulting in no parliamentary representation.
President Aliyev, who gained significant support after his forces recaptured a breakaway territory from ethnic Armenians in September, will be facing six nominal rivals in the upcoming election. Five of these rivals represent small parties already present in parliament, and the sixth candidate heads a social research center.
(Reporting by Nailia Bagirova; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
