Baku, October 9 (AZERTAC). “The Azerbaijani general public has taken an active part in the presidential election,” chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov told the press conference dealing with the voting process in the presidential elections at the Information Center, the Independent Press Center reported.

The CEC chairman described the general dynamics of the elections as positive and underlined that the information received and indicators show the voters are very active in this process. It is, certainly, good.

Voter turnout and the professionalism of election commissions’ members across the country are praiseworthy.

The opinion on the organization of the presidential elections and voting process in our country expressed by the international observers as well as the CEC Chairmen and observers from the CIS countries, Slovakia, Bulgaria and other countries makes us happy. They also praised the activity of the media in the coverage of the electoral process. The general opinion of the international observers is positive.

M.Panahov said that there were provocative actions observed in some polling stations in order to cast shadow on the elections: “An employee of the Azadlıq newspaper attempted to prevent voters access from entering the polling station in the Jabrayil constituency; a press representative presented a false document in Aghdash, one person snatched 10 ballots in Jalilabad, chairman of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party regional branch in Zardab tried to shoot a video despite voters’ protests and insulted them, etc. In the places I mentioned and didn’t, the steps triggering conflicts are being taken. But, it is necessary to note that there are no violations related to anybody`s attempts to vote in the place of somebody else.

The CEC chairman noted that all the facts will be investigated. The person who has snatched the ballots is being searched. As to the problem occurred in Zardab, the necessary condition has been created for making video recording in the polling stations. If the voter objects to be filmed, it is his constitutional right and we cannot question it. There is no need for interpreting it differently and insulting voters. Provocations which occurred across the whole country, news coming on the similar incidents taking place in the polling stations shows that they were planned beforehand and based on the same scenarios.

M. Panahov stressed that the release of exit-poll results during the voting process is not right. Unfortunately, this kind of incident took place and the CEC has launched an investigation into the case.

The CEC will take respective steps in this direction.