Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.23
By Ilkin Izzet - Trend:
The Association for Civil Society Development in Azerbaijan (AVCIYA) is monitoring the municipal elections in 400 polling stations, the association's head Maharram Zulfugarli told Trend on Dec.23.
Currently, the elections are being held in a calm and democratic atmosphere, he said, adding that no serious law offences have been recorded.
Zulfugarli said that AVCIYA management keeps in touch with its observers.
Furthermore, he said that the voter turnout in these municipal elections is much higher compared to the previous elections.
AVCIYA head said that in general, people show more interest in presidential or parliamentary elections than the municipal elections.
"Nevertheless, CEC said that the voter turnout hit 32.44 percent as of 15:00 (UTC/GMT +4 hours)," he said. "We have recorded approximately the same figure in 400 polling stations."
The voting in the municipal election is underway in Azerbaijan.
The polling stations opened at 08:00 (UTC/GMT +4 hours). The voting will end at 19:00 (UTC/GMT +4 hours).
Around 15,035 members of 1,607 municipalities should be elected.
The election is conducted on 118 constituencies. The voting will take place at 5,015 polling stations. Around 4,887 are permanent and 128 - temporary. The municipal election is not held in seven constituencies situated in the territory occupied by Armenia.
Around 37,077 candidates were registered in the municipal election. Around 13,907 candidates were nominated by eight political parties, namely, New Azerbaijan party, Ana Vatan party, Civil Solidarity Party, Umid party, Azerbaijani Social Democratic Party, National Revival Movement Party, Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party and Boyuk Qurtulus party.
Around 23,061 candidates are self-nominated and 109 candidates were nominated by the initiative groups.
The interior bodies intensified their activity in connection with the municipal election from December 22-25. On the election day, the number of police patrol officers will be increased to ensure public order.
December 23 is declared a day off in connection with the municipal election.