Observers' Mission of ODIHR OSCE promulgates report on pre-election situation in Azerbaijan

Today, the Mission of the Office of Democratic Institutes and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE has published its progress report on situation in Azerbaijan on the eve of the presidential election appointed on October 15. The report notes that the latest amendments made in the Electoral Code are partially taking into account the recommendations of the ODIHR OSCE and the Venetian Commission. Therefore, the adopted amendments can improve the electoral process.

At the same time, the Mission marks that the ban in the new wording of the Electoral Code on pre-election campaigning on the state television and reduction of the pre-election period from 60 down to 28 days will render a negative effect on the electoral process.

The ODIHR OSCE makes monitoring of TV Channels and a number of newspapers for the coverage by them of the pre-election situation. "The conducted monitoring of electronic and printed mass media evidences the break of balance in favour of the authorities. On the eve of the election, the largest local NGO engaged in monitoring of the process - the Centre for Observing the Election - was deprived of registration," the report runs.

Among the factors, which negatively influence the situation, the document mentions restrictions on holding rallies and other mass actions.

Another disputable issue is still the formation procedure of the electoral commissions. Thus, the chairpersons of all commissions are members of the party in power "Eni Azerbaijan". The ODIHR OSCE and the Venetian Commission had recommended amending the order of forming the commissions, to have their memberships causing trust of all political players and avoid domination of the pro-governmental forces. However, this recommendation was disregarded.

The political situation during the pre-election period is notable for irreconcilability of the authorities and the opposition, which made a decision to boycott the election because of the intolerant situation and continuing deterioration in the area of human freedoms and rights, lack of access to electronic media, the document emphasizes.