Azerbaijani opposition claims violations during election campaign

In Azerbaijan, opposition candidates faced obstacles to their meetings with voters, and their campaign materials were spoiled, the "Musavat" Party claimed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 5, 2019, the President of Azerbaijan signed a decree on the dissolution of the parliament. The elections are scheduled for February 9, 2020. The National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) of Azerbaijan decided not to participate in the elections and called on voters to boycott them. The NCDF's decision was supported by the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA). Analysts noted the interference of the authorities in the election campaign in Azerbaijan.

According to Arif Gadjily, the leader of the "Musavat" Party, on January 26, obstacles were created for meetings of party's candidates with voters in the Jalilabad and Bilasuvar Districts in southern Azerbaijan.

"People coming to meetings were forced to come back. They were threatened with problems in the future," says Arif Gadjily.

He also reported on the "almost countrywide disruption and damage to the campaign materials of the candidates from the "Musavat" Party.

"Although the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan provides for responsibility for such acts, no measures are taken by the law enforcement bodies and election commission administrations," Arif Gadjily said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 27, 2020 at 02:01 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.