Opposition urges Azerbaijani people not to take part in presidential elections

The Center of Cooperation of Opposition, including opposition parties of the Popular Front, Musavat Party, Liberal Party, Civil development party and public forum "For Azerbaijan" urges the population of Azerbaijan not to take part in the presidential elections of October 15 of 2008.

The opposition political bloc Azadlyg, including the Popular Front Party, Liberal Party and Civil Development Party, decided to boycott the presidential elections. Several other opposition parties, including Musavat party, Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, National Independence Party, Adalyat party, Civil Solidarity Party, Democratic reforms party, Classical popular front party, Azadlyg party announced that they will not take part in the elections.

According to the center leaders, who have developed the appeal, the boycott of elections by the population will imply a great contribution of Azerbaijani citizens to the development of real democracy.

"The thing is that the policy of Azerbaijani powers proves the absence of their interest in holding fair, democratic and transparent elections, meeting national interests and international standards. These elections are held just to prolong the term of presidency of the current head of the state", said the appeal, received by Novosti-Azerbaijan Saturday.

The appeal says that for this reason a greater part of opposition has rejected participation in these elections.

"Even international organizations note in their reports that in the election period Azerbaijan holds no events for political enlightenment of the population and creation of political competition", says the appeal.

"Novosti-Azerbaijan"