Election day to be accompanied by strict police service in Azerbaijan

By AzerNews

All agencies and units of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Internal Affairs will intensify public security from October 7 to October 13, chief of the central department of public security of the ministry, Major General Javanshir Mammadov told Baku-based Trend news agency on October 3.

"More details of patrol duty will operate on the presidential elections day to ensure public order in line with legislative norms," he said.

Mammadov went on to say that police officers will fulfill their official duties, in particular safeguard protocols, ballots and other materials, related to elections at a distance of at least 100 meters from the polling stations, as in accordance with the Electoral Code, the policeman has no right to be in the territory of the polling station excepting participation in the elections as a voter.

According to Mammadov, an action plan and special action plan have been developed in accordance with operative situation, coordinated with local law-enforcement and executive bodies to provide for protection of public order and security during the presidential elections.

Furthermore, headquarters comprised of officers of different services will operate to provide for timely transfer to information from places, control over operative situation and conduct adequate measures.

Security measures have been strengthened in marine, air and railway transports, bus terminals, ports, diplomatic representations, Baku subway, places of conservation of material values, valuable things and monetary resources, as well as facilities of critical importance to prevent possible terrorist and diversion acts, Mammadov said.

Police officers were also conducted seminars on conduct of public rallies and on protection of public order with participation of representatives of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Baku office, as well as police experts from Turkey.

Furthermore, high-ranking police officers were conducted regional seminars and trainings in Baku, Ganja, Shirvan, Lankaran, Shaki, Yevlax and Guba city with participation of the Central Election Commission and district election commissions.

The measures are being taken to ensure security of representatives of the OSCE, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and other international organizations, who arrived in Azerbaijan to conduct long-term and short-term observation of the presidential elections.

Azerbaijan will hold elections on October 9 to elect its president for the next five-year term. Campaigning for next month's presidential election, which started on September 16, continues with ten candidates.