Back-Up Azerbaijani Opposition Presidential Candidate Registered

Azerbaijani opposition figure Camil Hasanli

BAKU -- Azerbaijan's Central Election Commission has registered Camil Hasanli as the united opposition's alternative presidential candidate.

Commission spokeswoman Arifa Muxtarova said on August 29 that the 61-year-old historian and former lawmaker was registered as a presidential candidate in the October 9 vote after it was determined "he has no legal obstacles."

On August 27, the electoral commission rejected the application of the opposition's first choice, 74-year-old Oscar-winning screenwriter Rustam Ibragimbekov.

The commission said it disqualified Ibragimbekov because he has dual Russian-Azerbaijani citizenship and is not a permanent resident of Azerbaijan.

The united opposition nominated Hasanli last week as an alternative candidate.

President Ilham Aliyev, who has held power since succeeding his father in 2003, was registered earlier this month as the candidate of the ruling New Azerbaijan party.