Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 24 / Trend K.Zarbaliyeva /
The Azerbaijani municipal elections were democratic and transparent, Parliamentary Vice Speaker Bahar Muradova said.
"There may have been deficiencies in the voting process, but they could not affect the results," she said. "The elections were held in a free, democratic and transparent atmosphere."
According to Muradova, voter turnout in the elections was normal.
"Voters are much more interested in the presidential and parliamentary elections," she said.
The country has about 4.6 million registered voters. About 15,682 members are planned to be elected to 1,718 municipalities. Municipal elections were held twice in 1999 and 2004.
Azerbaijan has registered about 31,000 candidates, including 6,108 women, for municipal members. Candidates from 18 political parties have been registered for elections.
The Central Elections Commission (CEC) registered 48,388 observers, including 1,160 local observers and 52 foreign observers.
The elections were successful, CEC head Mazahir Panahov said at the news conference Dec. 24.
He added that based on preliminary information, the voter turnout in the elections was 31.86 percent.
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