TODAY.AZ / Politics

Azerbaijani CEC chairman holds press conference on tomorrow's re-elections

12 May 2006 [22:27] - TODAY.AZ
Today chairman of Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov held a press conference related to tomorrow’s partial re-run of parliamentary elections.

Mr.Panahov said the elections will be democratic and noted that the CEC never claimed to conduct ideal elections. He stressed that elections have some shortfalls in any country and said the repeat elections is the constitute part of the 6 November parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan.

The CEC chairman also reminded that the elections results were annulled in ten constituencies due to some shortfalls.

"Regrettably, reports on elections in Azerbaijan read on purpose or not that some deficiencies observed in some constituencies were concerned all constituencies. As a result, this creates wrong opinion in some circles, who are unaware of Azerbaijan and the electoral process here," Panahov said.

The CEC chairman noted that the results of the 6 November parliamentary elections 95% coincided with the results of exit-poll conducted by the US.

"This is very serious indication related to these elections. Regrettably, those referring to the exit-poll results by the elections began to ignore these results afterwards. I must say that there is a biased approach. I think there should be an approach that is adequate to reality," he noted.

Panahov also reminded that the International Republican Institute will conduct exit-poll in the re-elections and noted that there is no need for permission of the CEC to conduct such poll.

"So, several other organizations are also expected to conduct exit-poll in the repeat elections tomorrow."

The CEC chairman also noted that 388,179 voters will vote in the re-elections.

"However, it is not absolute figure. The number of voters can change in the process of election. I mean to say, some may have not their names in voter’s list and they can vote through the court," Panahov reported. He also reported that electors will vote in 343 polling stations. 334 are ordinary stations, 9 polling stations are in military units and reformatories.

165 international observers have been registered to observe the re-elections. More than 20 of them represent senior international organizations. 1161 local observers have been accredited by the CEC and they have right to observe electoral process in all constituencies. 4423 local observers wished to observe voting in only one of ten constituencies. There are 552 lawyers for candidates. Totally, 6500 observers will observe the elections. Panahov said that 124 candidates will struggle for seat in parliament in the re-run of the parliamentary elections tomorrow.

Preliminary results of the voting will be announced from 10:00p.m tomorrow. In general, preliminary results of the elections will be announced next day.

"Official results will be announced within 20 days after investigation of complaints and sending them to the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court usually announces the results within 10 days," the CEC chairman reported.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/26027.html

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