Azerbaijani CEC receives documents from second presidential candidate
BAKU. Feb 12 (Interfax) - The Azerbaijani Popular Front Party (APFP) has nominated its chair, Gurat Gasanguliyev, to be its presidential candidate in the extraordinary election scheduled for April 11.
The decision to nominate Gasanguliyev was made at the party's board meeting on Monday, the party said in a statement.
The party also decided to nominate Elchin Mirzabeili, the deputy chairman of the party, to be an authorized representative of APFP. Ilgar Mamedkhanov, the director of the finance department, was appointed an authorized representative for financial issues.
"The documents for Gurat Gasanguliyev's approval as a candidate for the post of president of Azerbaijan have been submitted to the Central Elections Commission [CEC]," the statement said.
The next election was expected to be held in Azerbaijan on October 17. However, on February 5, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order to move them to April 11.
According to the schedule approved by the CEC, the deadline for the submission of documents regarding the registration of candidates is March 12. Updates and adjustments will be made to the election lists by March 7.
The campaign will begin on March 19 and end on April 10.
The ruling party Yeni Azerbaijan (New Azerbaijan) nominated Aliyev at its February 8 congress. The relevant documents have been submitted to the CEC.
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.