22:47, 24 August 2013

Djafarli: CEC protracts approval of ReAl leader Mamedov as presidential candidate

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan has postponed indefinitely the approval of the nomination of Ilgar Mamedov, the leader of the civil movement "Republican Alternative" (ReAl), who is under investigation and arrest, as a presidential candidate. The ReAl finds this decision ungrounded and politically motivated.

However, Arifa Mukhtarova, the CEC Secretary, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the documents submitted by Ilgar Mamedov contained violations and errors; and the documents in general were not made in a proper manner.

In the opinion of Natig Djafarli, the executive secretary of the ReAl, "the CEC has violated the law by not taking a decision on the documents of the presidential candidate within five days as stipulated by the Electoral Code.

"The consideration has been postponed indefinitely. This is an unprecedented incident in the electoral practice of Azerbaijan. The CEC does it deliberately aiming to cut the time for collecting signatures in support of the ReAl candidate. This confirms the political motives of Ilgar Mamedov's arrest – they try to prevent his participation in the elections at all costs," said Djafarli.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent