Venice Commission works out opinion on amendments and alterations to Azerbaijan's Electoral Code

The CoE Venice Commission has prepared a opinion on amendments and alterations, introduced to the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan, containing at least 10 remarks, said Latif Huseynov, Azerbaijani representative in the Venice Commission, Novosti-Azerbaijan reports.

"The said judgment regarding the amendments and alterations, contains at least 10 remarks and if not for them, on the whole, the opinion is positive", noted Huseynov.

The amendments and alterations to the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan were discussed with the representatives of the Venice Commission in November of 2007 with participation of state officials and political powers of Azerbaijan, with representatives of Azerbaijani government in February of 2008 and at the 74th plenary session of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe in March.

According to Huseynov, the commission does not see the need for registration of organizations, holding an exit-poll during the elections. It also offers to hold voting among servicemen with other citizens.

"The government of Azerbaijan is currently studying the opinion of the Venice commission and in the near future the opinion, as well as amendments and alterations will be presented for consideration to the parliament of the country", he added.

Huseynov said as to the formation of the voting stations on the parity basis, which is a demand of the opposition powers of Azerbaijan - initiators of the improvement of the country's Electoral legislation, that this issue might be considered in the parliament while discussing the opinion.

"The government of Azerbaijan considers it not necessary to change the composition of electoral commissions, as it does not contradict to international norms. Democratic, fair and transparent elections are possible with existing laws", he concluded.