Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend S.Ilhamgizi /A conference was organized by IFES, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and the Central Elections Commission of Azerbaijan in Baku on 9 November to discuss the changes to the Elections Code of Azerbaijan. The forum is focused on changes to procedures of considering complaints and appeals.
Sergey Kuznetsov, a representative from the Venice Commission said that the key objective of the meeting is to ensure the transparency of elections process, establish confidence on the elections, organize talks between the forces interested in elections. The Venice Commission received proposals and appeals from the political parties and NGOs of Azerbaijan.
Daniel Blessington, the IFS Director for Azerbaijan, mentioned examples from the foreign experience on procedures for considering complaints. For instance, complains related to elections are considered at the courts in 56 countries, whereas these issue are solved by organization like he CEC of Azerbaijan in 55 countries. Special courts functioning in 20 countries in this respect.
Blessngton said that the neutral and impendent organizations should consider the complaints.
Khose Louise Herrero, the OSCE Ambasdor to Azerbaijan, said that this organization is involved in security issues, but it is also involved in the development of democracy. The OSCE takes every effort to achieve democratic elections in Azerbaijan and does not interfere the internal or political rivalry.
"The international community will focus on equal conditions for all, conduct of marches and meetings with electors to ensure fair rivalry in Azerbaijan. We are very concerned on the issues of full provision of voters' rights and calculation of their votes," the OSCE Ambassador said.