CIS election observation mission presents interim report on Azerbaijan’s pre-election situation

The CIS Observation Mission of the Inter-parliamentary Assembly (IPA) headed by Leonid Slutsky presented an interim report (10-25 September) on the results of monitoring of the pre-election situation in Azerbaijan.
According to the report, on August 15, the CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly received an invitation from chairman of the Milli Majlis (Parliament of Azerbaijan) Ogtay Asadov to participate in the observation of the run-up to and conduct of the presidential election in Azerbaijan.
An expert group including highly-qualified scholars and specialists from the higher educational institutions of Saint-Petersburg and Baku embarked on the preparation of analytic and information materials in August 2013 to ensure the successful operations of the international observers of the CIS IPA.
The interim report said the experts focused their attention on the analysis of the legislation regulating the presidential election and its compliance with the international electoral standards, analysis of Azerbaijan`s political system and its important institutions, history of elections of the country, system of election bodies, activity of state bodies from the organizational, technical and financial points of view as well as activity of the Central Election Commission (CEC).
The expert group came to a conclusion that procedures concerning the initial stage of presidential election stipulated by the electoral legislation of Azerbaijan were observed by Azerbaijan`s CEC and other state bodies in accordance with the existing norms. Equal rights were provided to all persons who wished to take part in the presidential elections.
The report also said that the election body of Azerbaijan is actively working to ensure electoral rights of citizens who temporarily live abroad.
Azerbaijani citizen should fill in an electronic form in the websites of the Azerbaijani embassies to participate in the elections at the polling stations located in foreign countries. Afterwards, a citizen receives an electronic notification on the possibility to vote.
The monitoring of the initial stage (August 1 - September 9, 2013) revealed that the media put preference on the articles dealing with the designation of the election date, coverage of the opinion poll results, conduct of information seminars, activity of electoral commissions, activity of all structures of Azerbaijan in terms of voters` lists and signature collection in support of candidates.
"The opportunity to watch developments in the polling stations via the webcams helps to ensure high degree of transparency of the electoral process," the report said.
Furthermore, the report found that the run-up to the elections is in full compliance with the dates set by the CEC`s Calendar Plan.
The international observers` group claims that the election campaign in Azerbaijan is as yet going on in a calm and constructive atmosphere and in line with international standards of conducting elections and national electoral legislation.
Equality of all participants of the electoral process, transparency of the activity of government bodies, sufficient volume of financing was ensured in the country as well.
The report said restrictions of active and passive election rights set by the existing legislation are in line with the international standards and accepted internationally.
The analysis showed that the national election legislation including the legal regulation of the run-up and conduct of the presidential election is in compliance with the international election standards.
It regulates all stages of the elections, ensures that all requirements of international documents are observed.
Azerbaijan, which is the largest South Caucasus state on the Caspian shore, will hold presidential elections on October 9.
So far, the CEC has registered nine candidates for the upcoming presidential elections. , including chairman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, President Ilham Aliyev, Umid Party leader Igbal Agazade, self-nominated candidate Zahid Oruj, chairman of the United Popular Front Party Gudrat Hasanguliyev, Modern Musavat party leader Hafiz Hajiyev, Azerbaijan Social Democratic Party chairman Araz Alizade, National Revival Party leader Faraj Guliyev, chairman of the Adalat (Justice) party Ilyas Ismayilov as well as Jamil Hasanli from the opposition National Council.
According to the electoral law, the official election campaign will begin 23 days before the election. It will take place from September 16 until 18:00 on October 8.
The campaign materials will be placed in the area of each polling station.
Free airtime and space for publications will be allocated for registered presidential candidates as part of the pre-election campaign.
In accordance with the Electoral Code, polling stations have been set up in the diplomatic missions and consulates of Azerbaijan.