Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Azerbaijan's ruling New Azerbaijan Party is completing the collection of signatures in support of the candidacy of chairman of the party, President Ilham Aliyev.

The signature collection from 125 districts is being completed in 84 regional and city organizations of the New Azerbaijan Party, Party's Deputy Executive Secretary Siyavush Novruzov told Trend on August 16.

"The New Azerbaijan Party's election headquarters received some 37,800 signatures today till about 12:00. The signatures are being checked by the expert group. A little number of the signature sheets remains, they are sent from distant areas, including the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. We can say that by the end of the day the New Azerbaijan Party will complete the collection of signatures in support of its presidential candidate," Novruzov said.

He went on to say that, these signatures will be recorded in accordance with the requirements of the law.

"According to the law, the signatures must be submitted minimally 50 days before the election, and maximally 30 days before the election. We will submit signatures to the Central Election Commission (CEC) 50 days before the election, that is, on August 20," Novruzov added.

The CEC approved Ilham Aliyev's candidacy for participation in the 2013 presidential elections on August 10.

The presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on October 9.

According to the Azerbaijani Constitution, the president of Azerbaijan is elected for a five-year term through general, direct and equal elections, by free, private and secret voting.

Azerbaijani citizens who have the right of election, an initiative group of electors, political parties and blocs of political parties have the right to nominate candidates.

The documents of the candidates are to be submitted to the CEC from August 20 to September 9.

A candidate who gets a signature list should return it within a week and after that the CEC will solve the issue regarding his/her official registration.

The official election campaign will begin 23 days before the election. It will take place from September 19 to October 8.

Free airtime and space for publications will be allocated for registered presidential candidates as part of the pre-election campaign. Free air time will be allocated to the candidates on Public Television and Radio Broadcasting company, while space for publications will be provided in Azerbaijan, Khalq Gazeti, Respublika and Bakinskiy Rabochiy newspapers.

If other broadcasters and periodicals decide to allocate paid air time and space for publication within the pre-election campaign, they are required to notify the CEC. Information about the conditions and payment is to be published no later than 35 days after the official announcement of the decision to schedule the elections.