Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 16 / Trend , I.Alizade/ The Azerbaijani Parliament adopted a bill of changes and supplements into the Election Code on Dec. 16.
President Ilham Aliyev applied to the parliament in connection with changes and supplements to the Code at legislation initiative. The Judicial Policy and Statehood Commission of the parliament has discussed the bill.
According to the Article 11-1 of the Election Code, abuse of authority is one of the cases to be held criminally liable for illegal intervention with the election. Furthermore, according to changes, election commissions can appeal not only law-enforcement agencies, but also court in case of abuse of office during election campaign.
According to Article 115, the persons whose term of office has not been suspended during election campaign and candidates registered at municipal and governmental bodies will be held criminally liable for abuse of authority in an attempt to have an impact on results of election and referendum.
According to article 116, district election commissions and central election commission are authorized not only to draw a protocol, but also appeal court in order to impose a fine.
Ali Huseinov, chief of Judicial Policy and Statehood Commission of the parliament, said the changes and supplements to the Election Code aims at defining criminal liabilities for violation of legislation.
Opposition MPs did not support injection of changes and supplements into the Code. The bill has been adopted with 94 votes for and 5 - against. Two MPs did not participate in the vote.
Have any feedback? Contact our journalist at [email protected]