Azerbaijan, Baku, 1July / corr. Trend E.Babayev / The oppositional Azerbaijani Democratic Party (ADP) is commencing meetings in regions as part of preparations for presidential elections. "Our first meeting will be held in the northern regions on 1 July," Sardar Jalaloglu, the chairman of the party, told Trend on 1 July.
The Supreme Majlis of the ADP took a decision to participate in the presidential elections on 16 February and nominated Jalaloglu's candidature. However, the party intends to review its decision. The Supreme Majlis of the party, where the ADP is to take a final decision on participation in the elections, will be held on 1 August.
Jalaloglu said that holding meetings in regions targets preparations for elections. "The Supreme Majlis may keep in force the decision on participation in the presidential elections. Therefore, we must be prepared for elections so that avoid being under time pressure," he said. Jalaloglu noted that he would got familiarization with regional headquarters of the party in the regions. At the same time he will meet with activists of the party and give them relevant commissions.
Sardar Jalaloglu established the right-of-centre ADP in 1991. The party held a radical oppositional policy with respect to the current authorities until January 2007. The ADP passed to a new policy, providing for dialogues with the authorities in January 2007. Rasul Guliyev, a former chairman of the party, and his supporters protested against the party's new policy and left the party, further uniting in the Open Society Party.
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