POLITICS
PACE Election Observation Mission: Preparation for Azerbaijani elections and the voting processes were professionally and technically well organized
Baku, November 2, AZERTAC
Election Observation Mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has made a statement on parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, saying they were well organized.
"Based on the observations of the Mission and meetings with other stakeholders, it can be stated that the preparation for the elections and the voting processes were professionally and technically well organized,” it said. “Observers noted improvements in the access of voters to information, the inclusiveness of voter registration and the quality of electoral materials." “The elections were held in accordance with the Election Code of Azerbaijan, which provides a legal framework for the democratic conduct of elections."
The statement says: “It was the consensus of this Mission that election was calm and peaceful across the country. The voting process was observed to be adequate and generally in line with international standards. Voters had full and unimpeded access to polling stations and there were no incidents reported by the observers. The observation mission therefore congratulates the Azerbaijani people for their peaceful and orderly conduct during this electoral process. The Central Election Commission contributed to the transparency of the process by releasing updates from the opening of the polls until the end of the counting and tabulation of the results."
"Throughout election, the Mission did not report any major or systemic violations of the Election Code. No acts of pressure on voters or any other incidents in or near the polling stations were observed. There was no police presence around the polling stations or any campaign and electoral materials nearby.” The Mission also hailed the introduction of web cameras in polling stations and “wide coverage of election day in local media".
Election Observation Mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe was invited by the Azerbaijani authorities to monitor the parliamentary elections on 1 November 2015. The Mission comprised 28 members and was led by Jordi Xuclà (Spain, ALDE). The members were deployed in several areas of the country and the capital, Baku and observed in a wide number of polling stations.