A regular session of the Central Election Commission (CEC) under the chair of Mazahir Panakhov was held on August 22.

Chairman of the Commission, M. Panakhov made a report on creation of a sortition commission to give free air on TV to the contenders, registered for the elections of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 15, 2003. The sortition commission, consisting of members of the CEC Azer Tagiyev, Fuad Javadov, Anvar Aliyev and CEC press department head Azer Sariyev was created.

Further, Chairman of the CEC Panakhov announced on allocation of funds for making payments by CEC to newspapers of Azerbaijan, Halq Gazeti, Respublika and Bakinski Rabochi, which are to give free place for registered presidential contenders in these periodicals. The Commission passed a resolution on positive solution of the issue.

Deputy Chairman of the CEC Svetlana Gasimova informed about registration of 50 people, empowered by the Yeni Azerbaijan Party. The Commission passed a positive resolution on the issue.

Further, a break for sortition was announced at the session. The sortition was held with the presence of empowered representatives of presidential contenders and mass media. Results were announced after the sortition.

Secretary of the CEC Ingilab Nasirov made an announcement on confirmation of Guliyev Arif Amiraslan oglu, appointed as a member of CEC with a right of deliberative vote by the Alliance for Azerbaijan Party and Isayev Abdulla Huseyn oglu, appointed by the same party to monitor throughout the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The commission approved the both issues.

Secretary of CEC, Vidady Makhmudov informed on Bakhishov Muzaffar Giyas oglu, appointed as a deliberative vote member of the CEC by the Party of Civil Solidarity as well as Mustafayev Yamil Isa oglu, appointed by the same party to monitor the elections all over Azerbaijan. The Commission approved both decisions.

Secretary of the CEC Nasirov informed the offer to confirm Hasanzadeh Rauf Allahverdi oglu, appointed as a deliberative vote member of the CEC by the Muasir Musavat Party and Mamedov Akif Musa oglu, appointed by the same party to monitor the elections throughout Azerbaijan. Participants of the session supported this offer.

Secretary of the Commission Makhmudov reported on appointment of Abbasov Elkhan Salekh oglu as a deliberative vote member of the CEC on behalf of the presidential contender of the Republic of Azerbaijan Hajiyeva Lala-Shovket and Yagibov Mahir Mamed oglu, representing the same contender to monitor the elections in the country. The Commission approved this offer.

Further, Secretary of the CEC Nasirov informed the members of the Commission on registration of Gasimov Telman Abiali oglu , appointed as a deliberative vote member of CEC by the Party of National Union, and 50 men appointed by this party as empowered persons. The session approved their candidatures.

Secretary of the CEC Makhmudov told about registration of Masiyev Azad Yusif oglu, nominated as a deliberative vote member by the Party of Justice, and Hasanov Rustam Samed Oglu as a monitor all over Azerbaijan and 50 of empower persons of this party. Commission’s decision was positive on this issue.

Further, member of CEC Azer Tagiyev announced on appeals received by the Commission. The members of the Commission passed the related resolutions on these complaints.

Member of the CEC Fuad Javadov announced the results of the sortition held for distribution of free air on TV between the presidential contenders registered for the elections on October 15, 2003. Members of the Commission voted for confirmation of these results.

Representatives of the International Fund of Electoral Systems (IFES), National Democratic Institute, Embassies of USA and Japan, local and foreign mass media were present at the session.

Press service of the Central Electoral Commission