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CEC Head: Changes to Azerbaijani Electoral Code will not affect electoral process

Politics Materials 25 June 2010 16:23 (UTC +04:00)
The changes made to the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan will not negatively impact the election process, Central Election Commission (CEC) Head Mazahir Panahov said.
CEC Head: Changes to Azerbaijani Electoral Code will not affect electoral process

Azerbaijan, Baku, June 25 / Trend T.Hajiyev /

The changes made to the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan will not negatively impact the election process, Central Election Commission (CEC) Head Mazahir Panahov said.

"The changes will not affect the transparent and democratic elections. The main points related to the elections meet the international standards. Compared to similar steps of the democratic countries, the changes are mainly positive in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan might the only country in the world, which had the practice of the allocation of funds to candidates participating in the electoral process. No country applies this practice today," Panahov told journalists today.

The Azerbaijani Parliament adopted a bill on additions and amendments to the Electoral Code at its extraordinary meeting June 18. Thirty three additions and changes were proposed to the Electoral Code. The changes include the cancellation of the practice for allocating funds from public budget to candidates, changing the period of announcement of date of elections from 75 to 60 days before polling day, confirming lists of constituencies 55 days before the election, and their publication for 50 days.

There are no problems with the organization of elections, Panahov said.

"We are busy with defining the lists of voters since January.  The preparation for the elections and educational work of constituencies were launched in parallel in May. There is no problem even in the nomination and campaigning of candidates," Panahov said.

Regarding the participation of the international observers in the parliamentary elections, he said these issues will be implemented according to the law after the announcement of elections.

"We have informed the international organizations that the CEC is interested in the extensive observation mission, promoting transparent and democratic elections. We will accept with joy the organizations that will express such a desire and create all necessary conditions for them," Panahov added.

Parliamentary elections will be held in Azerbaijan Nov.7, 2010. Previous elections were held in November 2005. The elections are held according to the majority system in Azerbaijan's 125 constituencies.

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