France, Strasbourg / Тrend corr A. Maharramli / Discrepancy regarding improvement of Azerbaijan's Election Code was revealed during the consultations between the Azerbaijani delegation and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe (CE) held in Strasbourg. There are aspects we do not agree on, an employee of Election and Referendum Department of the Venice Commission (VC), Sergey Kuznetsov, said on 8 September.
The consultations between the representatives of VC and Azerbaijani delegation were took place in Strasbourg on 6-7 September. The Azerbaijani side was represented by the head of Azerbaijani Parliament's Administration, Safa Mirzayev, the chairman of Azerbaijan's Central Election Committee, Mazahir Panahov, and other officials.
According to Kuznetsov, the consultations were held within the framework of cooperation between CE and Azerbaijan and were of general character. The discussions regarding changes in the Election Code began long ago and we again held an exchange of views with Azerbaijan's officials, he said. The next meeting will take place in Baku in October during the round table organized by VC and Azerbaijan.
Kuznetsov broached the suggestions made by Azerbaijan's opposition Azadlyg bloc in VC regarding changing of the Election Code. According to him, the Commission is working with Azerbaijan's official authorities, so the conclusion on the suggestions cannot be made now. These suggestions were submitted to the CE rapportuers on Azerbaijan for consideration, he added.
The Election Code represents great importance. "Our position is to make the Election Code cover all social groups, to enable electors to express their opinion, to make each vote considered. I hope our recommendations on the Election Code will be taken into consideration," Kuznetsov said.