Parliamentary commission on legal policy approves amendments to Azerbaijan's Electoral Code

The parliamentary commission on legal policy and state construction approved amendments to the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan.

According to Day.Az, commission chairman Ali Huseynov noted opening the discussions that by initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan was passed in 2003. He reminded that elections of 2003 and 2005 were held in Azerbaijan on the basis of the Code.

"As is known the Electoral Code is constantly improving and therefore definite amendments and alterations have been introduced to the Code through these years. Moreover, Azerbaijan and the Venice Commission are successfully cooperating for improvement of the Electoral Code", said Huseynov.

He noted that amendments envision introduction of a separate paragraph on impossibility of illegal interference with the election process to the Electoral Code.

Moreover, it is stated that people, who have duties before other countries, will not be able to take part in the elections within five years. In line with the project, the Central Election Commission is empowered to accredit organizations, holding exit-poll (public poll at the exit of the election points).

The election points in the special military divisions can only be created only in cases, specified by the Central Election Commission. Previously the creation of the Election point in such divisions was carried out by the Ministry of Defense.

Moreover, in the result of amendments, the observers will be issued special cards, election bulletin will not be put into an envelope, in case of the absence of the surname of a voter in the list, his surname will be added by the members of the election point following the due appeal. It should be noted that previously the court decision was needed to add the surame to the list.

In case the amendments are adopted to the parliament, the information boards of the election points will contain addresses of all voters, who fall under jurisdiction of this point.

The amendments envision a prohibition of conduction of the agitation campaign of the candidates to deputies and president by the state television and radio companies, yet this prohibition is not related to the public television and radio. Moreover, the political advertisement on the television and radio will be regulated by the law "On advertisement" under the alterations.

In line with other amendments to the Code, the agitation plackards shall not be set on the buildings and other establishments, except for rooms.

The principle of marking fingers of the voters with inks, which was applied in the parliamentary elections of 2005 by recommendation of President Ilham Aliyev, will not be envisioned by the Electoral Code.

The preliminary results of elections are made public by the okrug election commissions immediately after calculations of votes and presentation of information to the Central Election Commission.

After the discussions, the members of the commissions recommended to introduce the draft amendments to the Electoral Code for discussion at the plenary session of the parliament.

/Day.Az/