Workshop on improvement of election practice

As AzerTAg reports, the head of socio-political department of the President Administration Ali Hasanov has informed, that the purpose of the action organized in common with Administration of the President, the International Press Center, the Council of Europe and IFES, consists in rendering assistance to carrying out on May 13 by-elections to the Milli Majlis in fully democratic, transparent and fair atmosphere.

At the seminar, stipulated for official representatives of 5 constituencies, located in Baku and in territories adjoining to them, and also representatives of executive authority of the districts and law enforcement bodies, requirements of orders of the President of Azerbaijan from May 11 and on October 25, 2005 about improvement of elections to Milli Majlis, offers of the Council of Europe and IFES will be once again discussed. Similar action stipulated for other constituencies, will be conducted on 4 May in Ganja.

A. Hasanov has noted, that the authority is interested in carrying out of the said elections in absolutely democratic, free and transparent conditions, that the persons interfering it, breaking or trying to break the election legislation, will be strictly punished. As he said, the results of elections, which are not reflecting will of the Azerbaijan people and not providing interests of voters, will not be recognized.

Executive director of the information office of the Council of Europe Ilgar Ibrahimli said the CoE Ministerial Committee has prepared a plan to render assistance the country in conducting elections in fair and transparent conditions. Country director of IFES Dan Blessington and others spoke of goals and forthcoming tasks.

At the seminar, discussed were issues concerning international election standards, decrees and orders of the President of Azerbaijan, the role of the official representatives not connected with elections, measures which will be accepted by the Central Electoral Commission against infringement of the Election Code, the emergencies demanding intervention of police, role of observers, and also other themes.

Representatives of IFES, CoE, CEC, experts of international organizations made certain suggestions and recommendations.