Observation missions begin work amid upcoming presidential election

The long-term mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will start its activities regarding the upcoming presidential election in Azerbaijan.

Corien Jonker will head the ODIHR election observation mission, which includes 10 experts in Baku and 20 experts in the country’s regions.

In addition, 280 short-term observers will operate in Baku on the election day. Experts and observers from 19 countries will arrive in the country.

Presidential election in Azerbaijan is to be held on April 11, 2018, according to an order signed on February 5 by the country's President Ilham Aliyev.

As many as 21 international observers have been registered for the presidential election to be held in Azerbaijan. Over 22,000 local observers have been registered.

Fifteen candidates have been nominated for the presidential election in Azerbaijan. Seven candidates have been registered so far. The documents of other candidates are being considered.

Welcoming a delegation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Baku on March 13, Chairman of the country’s Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said that the study of international experience is important for improving electoral practice.

Panahov noted that the CEC always attaches special importance to mutually beneficial cooperation with the authoritative international organizations and their structures.

Answering the questions of the delegation, Panahov informed about the high-level preparation for the elections, and work directed for holding of free, fair and transparent elections.

No negative cases related to electoral process

The measures taken by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan in connection with the presidential election scheduled for April 11 fully meet the requirements of the Electoral Code, Elchin Mirzabeyli, the deputy chairman of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan Party, told Trend on March 14.

He stressed that there are no obstacles in the electoral process.

“We did not face negative cases either during nomination of candidates, signature collection process or during registration of presidential candidates. During the experts’ verification of the signatures of voters and other documents, wide opportunities have been created for plenipotentiary representatives of presidential candidates and interested parties to monitor the process. The same opportunities have been created for local and international observers who, according to the requirements of the legislation, will be able to freely observe the election or other processes,’ Mirzabeyli said.

As in previous elections, equal opportunities have been created for all observers, he concluded.