During the municipal elections scheduled for October 6, 2006, it will be used the method of marking the fingers of voters with ink, Mazahir Panahov, the chairman of the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC), told Trend.
He noted that there have remained unused inks from the former elections and additional ink will be ordered. Speaking about the observation during the elections, Panahov stressed that yet the international observers havent been invited. Because, it is earlier to invite observers. When it is time, we will appeal to international organizations and election commissions of other countries. Observers will be involved in municipal elections and there is no problem in this sphere, he told.
Panahov pointed out that the candidates in municipal election may be allocated finance from the state budget for conducting propaganda. The candidates were disbursed finance during the last elections. But this issue is resolved by the Finance Ministry. In my opinion, there will be no problems with this process, he added.
Besides, he ruled out that candidates conducting unpaid propaganda in mass media is regulated with other principles. According to Panahov, unpaid propaganda is realized on base of selection. If any party or block have more than 60 candidates, they gain opportunity for unpaid propaganda. We expect the process of nominating candidatures to continue. Then it will be clear what party has how many candidates. Then CEC will consider the unpaid propaganda. The parties meeting the necessary requirements during the municipal elections may receive opportunity for unpaid propaganda. Municipal elections are held locally and therefore, the candidates will hold propaganda campaign within their election district, Panahov emphasized.