PACE cites improvements at Azeri poll

According to AssA-Irada, PACE's 20-member ad hoc Committee chaired by Leo Platvoet that monitored the polling concluded that "there was progress in the conduct of voting during election day".

"The electoral campaign for the partial re-run of these elections was generally low key and took place without the incidents that marred the November elections. This is a welcome development, all be it in far less demanding circumstances than during the November vote."

The partial re-run of the elections took place in 10 constituencies where electoral fraud was recognized to have changed the outcome of the November 6 vote.

The observation mission said the vote was conducted in a generally well organized and professional manner. It especially welcomed that the procedures for the inking of the voters' fingers, an important mechanism to prevent multiple voting, were well implemented in most polling stations. From the observations on election day the accuracy of the voters' list for these elections seems to have significantly improved.

"Only very few voters could not find their names on the voters' lists and in the majority of these cases were satisfactorily resolved with a order from the Courts," the mission said in a statement.

In line with the November elections the conduct of the candidate registration process was inclusive, it said.

The Assembly observers said they regret the decision of certain opposition parties to boycott the elections and not to field candidates. "This denies the electorate the fullest pluralistic choice."

The mission also noted that social and economic power supported by local executive authorities may have led to undue influence on voters.

The ad hoc committee said it was not of a sufficient size to make a comprehensive assessment of the vote count and tabulation processes, expressing hope that "irregularities with the tabulation and protocols witnessed during the 2005 elections will not take place".

The head of the mission, Leo Platvoet, reminded that the PACE mission voiced some criticism during its visit to Azerbaijan late in April, saying the election day showed that there were no grounds for these concerns.

"The pre-electoral mission of the Assembly was concerned over the lack of signs of democratic progress in the run-up of the elections. However, the ad hoc Committee welcomes that some positive developments have taken place since the visit of the pre-electoral delegation," the statement said.

Platvoet emphasized that the reform of the Electoral Code is a crucial pre-requisite for elections in Azerbaijan to take place according to Council of Europe standards and commitments. He welcomed the fact the presidential administration has requested, albeit at late stage, the assistance of the Venice Commission with the reform of the electoral legislation. "However, this request should be followed in the coming months by the actual implementation of the Venice Commission recommendations as proof of Azerbaijan's genuine commitment to democratic reform."

Platvoet told a news conference on Sunday the provisions for forming election commissions should be amended to ensure an election administration that has the full confidence of the electorate and all electoral stakeholders. The authorities should also ask for assistance of the Venice Commission in the efficient consideration of election-related appeals.

The electoral commissions currently include 18 members equally representing the authorities, opposition and independent members. However, opposition parties maintain that independent members are appointed on instruction from the authorities, which effectively grants the latter leverage to control the commissions.

Commenting on some allegations that some pro-government candidates tried to bribe voters outside polling stations, Platvoet said he is unaware of such cases. "We have heard such rumors but don't have the facts," he said, adding that the mission has not received any complaints from candidates to that end.

The Committee is expected to discuss the post-election situation in Azerbaijan in Budapest next Friday, Platvoet said. The head of the mission said that in his address at the discussions, he would submit to the attendees an expanded version of the final statement on the Azeri election. The Committee members will also pass a decision concerning further visits by rapporteurs Andreas Gross and Andres Herkel to Azerbaijan. This will be followed by the discussions on the elections at PACE's Moscow-based permanent committee late in May.

/AzerNEWS.net/