CIS Observers Mission: "Azerbaijan has taken definite steps, aimed at ensuring free, fair and democratic elections"

The international observers of the Commonwealth of Independent States have already launched the monitoring of presidential elections of Azerbaijan to be held on September 15 of 2008, said Oleg Kuleba, deputy chief of the office of the CIS Observers Mission.

"This is the fourth time that the mission is observing elections in Azerbaijan. Considering the administrative-territorial division and the number of constituencies, we are planning to involve over 250 observers into the mission. The activity of the mission is strictly based on the national legislation of Azerbaijan, documents, adopted in the framework of the Commonwealth and the international practice of the Election Monitoring organization.

He said the observers from the CIS have been created all necessary conditions for holding the monitoring of presidential elections and noted that the work of the electoral bodies is open and transparent and they do not face any problems in holding observations.

He also shared the first impressions about the process of preparations for elections.

"The Central Election Commission, state bodies of Azerbaijan have taken due measures, aimed at ensuring free, fair and democratic elections, which is proven by the invitation to a number of international organization to monitor elections.

Second. We have noticed the purposeful work of the Central Election Commission on preparation of the election campaign. First of all, its work is open and transparent. The CEC sessions are held with participation of observers and mass media representatives. The adopted decisions are operatively made public: seminars are held for the leadership and members of the district and regional electoral commissions, methodical materials, explaining the order of conduction of election procedures, have also been prepared.

The visit of the CIS observers to the regional and district election commissions showed their high organizational readiness and provision will all necessary facilities and materials for holding elections. The country has created necessary conditions for the activity of election bodies. All district election commissions locate in separate, well-equipped buildings. The constituencies are ensured with necessary technical means and methodical materials; electoral bodies and state bodies have carried out a huge work to specify the list of voters.

Third. The nomination and registration of presidential candidates complied with the norms of the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan. We consider that the procedures of these stages of the election campaign were conducted in conditions of political pluralism with the observation of the principle of alternativeness and competition", said he.

According to Kuleba, the mission is studying the process of the election agitation but it is already possible to note today that all necessary conditions were created for holding it.

"Halls and open areas for holding meetings with voters were allocated in all cities and settlements, we have visited, and screens for agitation materials have been prepared and set in the most suitable places.

Free air time was provided for the candidates by the company of Public Television, newspapers Azerbaijan, Khalg Gazeti, Respublika and Bakinski Rabochiy.

We are planning to meet the leaders of the election campaign teams of the presidential candidates soon", noted Kuleba.

He said that according to the CIS observers, the executive bodies and electoral commissions of all levels have ensured compliance of the electoral process with the demand of the working legislation on the first stages of the campaign.

/Day.Az/