Ukraine, Kiev / Тrend corr R. Aghayev / Azerbaijan is seriously preparing for the 2008 presidential elections, and some work has already been carried out in relation to this, the chairman of the Azerbaijani Central Election Committee (CEC), Mazahir Panahov, told Trend.
Ninety buildings out of 125 district election committees, which have at least seven rooms, have already been constructed and repaired, Panahov said. According to him, the total process is being controlled personally by the Azerbaijani President. The 90 district election committee buildings which are ready have been equipped with up to date modern technology and have comfortable working conditions. A beautiful architectural building is being built for the CEC, he said.
Owing to the Azerbaijani President's personal attention and care the project is unique and there is nothing similar in any other country of the world, Panahov said.
Another important issue is educating the members of the election committees, which is a component of the national development program signed and being implemented under the constant control of the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev, Panahov stressed. According to him, training for members of the CEC and district election committees will commence on 15 October.
A database for over 4.5mln voters has been established. It includes all essential information right up to the most acceptable route to the polling stations, he said.
One of the CEC's priority tasks is still to provide all the necessary conditions to enable Azerbaijani citizens residing abroad to vote. "As soon as such an opportunity occurs, voting stations will be established not only in Azerbaijan's embassies and consulates in Russia, US, Europe, CIS, and others, but also in big and comparatively big cities, where Azerbaijani citizens live, Panahov said.