At the extended meeting of the Board of Directors held on December 15, the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) nominated Ilham Aliyev for the presidency. The board members held a vote, and Ilham Aliyev's candidacy was unanimously approved.

Moreover, Fazil Mustafa, the chairman of the "Big Establishment Party" and the Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament, was nominated for the presidency in the extraordinary elections to be held on February 7.

Also, MP Zahid Oruj, the Chairman of the Board of the Center for Social Research, announced his intention to run for the presidency.

Musavat and People Front denies to participate

On December 15, the Musavat Party decided not to participate in the extraordinary presidential elections scheduled for February 7. 

The Musavat Party reported that the arrest of more than a dozen journalists in Azerbaijan in recent weeks, including Turan agency employee Hafiz Babali, has been condemned as a continuation of the crackdown on freedom of speech and media in the country. They demanded the release of all political prisoners and journalists arrested by order.

The press service reported that during the discussion of the extraordinary presidential elections, it was noted that the Musavat Party, which usually participates in the elections, urges the Azerbaijani authorities to create a pre-election democratic environment, release all political prisoners, ensure freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and expression, representation of claimant parties in election commissions.

"On the contrary, repressions continued in the country after early elections were called. By making a sudden election decision without any public discussion, the government minimized the opportunity for the political opposition and the groups that want change in the country to prepare for the election. It is in the government's interest that wants to turn this election into a formal procedure, creating a weird situation with the sudden announcement of the election campaign," the statement reads.

"Taking into account all this, as well as the results of the discussions and public polls conducted in the party structures, the Musavat Party decided not to participate in the extraordinary presidential elections scheduled for February 7," it was said.

The Azerbaijan People's Front Party also held a congress related to its new program and extraordinary presidential elections. Party Chairman Ali Karimli said in his speech that the party leadership has a negative attitude towards participation in the election. He said they decided not to participate in the elections after holding internal party discussions. The Congress voted against participation in the election, and two people supported participation in the election.

Notably, extraordinary presidential elections will be held in Azerbaijan on February 7, 2024. The extraordinary presidential elections coincide with the restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty in Karabakh. In addition, the reasons for announcing the extraordinary presidential elections have not yet been officially announced.