Azerbaijani Interior Ministry to stop unpermitted actions during presidential election
BAKU. Feb 15 (Interfax) - Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies will stop unpermitted actions during and after the early presidential election, Deputy Interior Minister Oruj Zalov told reporters on Thursday.
"We have prepared a plan to provide law and order during the elections. The public peace and security will be enforced in every area designated for civil actions. However, we will stop any unpermitted action held during and after the ballot," Zalov said.
The Interior Ministry will control the delivery of ballot papers to polling stations, he added.
The next election was supposed to be held on October 17. However, on February 5, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to move it ahead to April 11.
The ruling party Yeni Azerbaijan (New Azerbaijan) nominated Aliyev at its February 8 congress.
On February 14, the Central Elections Commission approved the nomination of five Azerbaijani presidential candidates: Ilham Aliyev, self-nominees Anar Umudov, Tural Abbasly and Zahid Oruj, and Fuad Aliyev, who represents the Liberal Democratic Party of Azerbaijan.
Aliyev has been president of Azerbaijan since 2003. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2013.
According to changes made to the Constitution of Azerbaijan in fall 2016, the president of the country will be elected for seven years.