Azeri by-elections fair, electoral body says

International observers were provided with suitable conditions to actively monitor the polling, the Central Election Commission (CEC) chairman Mazahir Panahov told a news conference dedicated to the preliminary results of the poll. According to AssA-Irada, he emphasized observers' assistance in holding free elections.

The CEC chairman praised the role of government agencies, law enforcement, etc. in ensuring a fair vote and ruled out any major irregularities. The Commission received 15 official appeals through its "hotline" on the election day, he said.

Panahov said the CEC held three meetings on the election day to review the appeals. The irregularities observed will not question the overall results of repeat polls, he said.
"The CEC has tackled scrutiny into the violations registered and will make its results public shortly."

Panahov also said the protocols of district election commissions must be submitted to the CEC within two days for further investigation of the appeals and approval of the election results. The CEC is to forward its decision at least within the next 20 days to the Constitution Court, which, in turn, will approve the results of the by-elections within the following 10 days, the electoral body chief said.

/AzerNEWS.net/