OSCE Baku office: "Executive power should create equal conditions for candidates to president to conduct meetings"

As is reported, the seminar, initiated by the OSCE Baku office, is held under support of the presidential administration of Azerbaijan and the central election commission.

"The seminar is aimed to stress inadmissibility of illegal interference with the election process and underline main principles of free and transparent elections", said Jose Luis Herrero, head of the OSCE Baku office.

He noted that there were numerous critical statements regarding interference of the executive bodies with the election process during the previous elections. The ambassador noted that the electoral code have definite restrictions regarding interference of the executive bodies with the election process and election  process can be held only by means of the Central Election Commission.

"Another important issue is distribution of powers between executive bodies and electoral institutions. Calculations of votes and information about results of voting are in the competence of only the election commissions. Moreover, local executive bodies should create conditions for the use of right for freedom of assembly. The executive power should treat all candidates equally and create equal conditions for conduction of meetings by the candidates for presidency", said Herrero.

In turn, chief of the public policy department of the Azerbaijani presidential administration Ali Hasanov announced that the seminar gives start to events on the preparations and conduction of elections of Azerbaijani President.

"OSCE speaks as an organization, taking part in the methodological organization of elections. This organization has prepared a brochure, which gives full description of what is implied under "compliance of elections with international standards". The brochure reflects all questions and answers to them regarding conduction of voting. This is an important edition both for local executive bodies and for members of the election commissions", said Hasanov.

Chairman of the Central Election Commission Mazahir Panakhov noted that conduction of democratic elections mostly depends on the preparedness of members of election commissions and such seminars will promote improvement of preparations.

It should be noted that the OSCE Baku office will hold such seminars in Ganja and Shirvan.

/Day.Az/