BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of Azerbaijan, together with the Central Election Commission (CEC), has held the first educational event themed “Ensuring the electoral rights of citizens” in connection with the extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.
In the event opening speech, CEC Chairman Mazahir Panahov emphasized that election is a fundamental criterion of democracy and that every citizen should approach this process responsibly.
He highlighted the important tasks entrusted to the media in electoral processes and provided participants with extensive information about the measures taken by the CEC, in collaboration with relevant state institutions, to improve electoral legislation and practices.
Ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva said that educational activities conducted jointly with the CEC, covering the capital and regions of the country, aim to prepare for elections and provide clearer explanations of electoral rights and procedures.
The ombudsperson also emphasized that the crucial expression of any nation's will lies in democratic and free elections for government bodies.
She highlighted the significance of this process in the life of the democratic legal state of the people and the country.
Aliyeva noted that state power and local self-government bodies are formed through democratic and fair elections.
She pointed out that the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Institution consistently works for more effective protection of civil and political rights, including electoral rights, pays constant attention to the state of ensuring electoral rights in the country, studies the situation related to the protection and provision of citizens' electoral rights, and collaborates with the CEC to organize educational events.
The ombudsperson highlighted the importance of creating conditions for more effective exercise of the electoral rights of individuals, including those with disabilities, and, in this context, expanding opportunities for voting by visually impaired voters using Braille template ballot papers.
She also emphasized the need to continue the practice of preparing all campaign videos with subtitles to inform voters with hearing impairments and produce more videos on election topics for educational purposes.
Following that, CEC Secretary Mikayil Rahimov provided detailed information about its work in anticipation of the upcoming presidential election and outlined the planned activities of the CEC.
Discussing the significance of the observation institution and the role of the Ombudsman in this process, the Head of the Ombudsman's Office, Aydin Safikhanli, underlined that the observation institution contributes to more effective protection of electoral rights and principles of transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
He added that observation allows for not only identifying deficiencies that may arise in ensuring citizens' electoral rights but also enhances citizens' participation in the electoral process and evaluates the conduct of the electoral process in line with national legislation and international standards.
Then he briefed on the observation practice of the Ombudsman institution.
