Head of Azerbaijan’s CEC expresses regret for bias tendency towards assessment of presidential elections

Azerbaijan, Baku, August 23 /Trend, I.Izzet

Unfortunately, a tendency to bias is observed in connection with presidential elections and assessment of their results, the Chairman of Central Election Commission Mazahir Panahov said.

Panahov made the remarks during the session on "Inadmissibility of unlawful interference in election process" on Friday.

"Exaggerating some minor shortcomings, they are portrayed in such a light as if elections in Azerbaijan are conducted undemocratically, and due to one or two facts some people try to put the honesty of all elections under question," he underscored.

Panahov noted that observers also carry a great responsibility in this issue.

"We should work at high level, in order to prevent any shortcomings," he noted.

According to him, CEC is always ready to cooperate with international organizations.

"We have never refused any offer for subjective or objective reasons. We are ready to cooperate even with those who have biased attitude towards us. Someone thinks that this is an intervention in the elections. But this opinion is absolutely wrong. Intervention in elections should be in different form, but cooperation is needed in any case," the head of CEC said.

Panahov noted that if at previous elections, web cameras were installed at 10 percent of polling stations, then on personal instructions by the country's leadership, web cameras will be installed at 20 percent of polling stations.

"First of all, elections in Azerbaijan is an important campaign, conducted in the interests of Azerbaijani nation. This occurs in the whole world, no elections are conducted ideally in any part of the world. If anyone claims that, I believe that he doesn't tell the truth. Election is a process which involves millions of people. However, we should make efforts to adequately investigate any appeal," Panahov added.