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Azerbaijanâ€™s ruling party: We are ready to discuss the proposed amendments to the Electoral Code with any international organization

11 June 2010 15:31 (UTC +04:00)

We consider that the appropriate election administration has gained enough experience and is capable of realizing perfect election campaign,â€ deputy chairman, executive secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) Ali Ahmadov said in his interview to the YAPâ€™s website, APA reports.

Ali Ahmadov says while learning the world practice YAP found out the fact that the term of the election campaign is 60 days or less in the countries the population and area of which are more than that of Azerbaijan.
â€œWe considered that the allocation of two-month period for the elections does not and can not impact its democratic essence. 60 days is enough to obey all the election principles, including democratic principles, and norms. The international practice also confirms this. Therefore, assessment by some opposition parties of YAPâ€™s proposals as steps against the democratic elections in Azerbaijan is groundless. Such approach is contrary to the international experienceâ€. Ahmadov said Azerbaijan formed the electoral system and significant part of the voters determined its political sympathy. â€œFrom this point of view there is no need in the political introduction. Regarding the concrete electoral programs and messages of the political parties and candidates to the voters, I consider the proposed two-month election campaign period and 23-day agitation period is quite enoughâ€.

Regarding the international organizationsâ€™ reaction to this proposal, Ahmadov said they were ready to discuss this issue with any organization. He said lawmakers from the New Azerbaijan Party used the legislative initiatives given by the Constitution and elaborated this project. â€œHow correct is the protest of international organizations against the YAPâ€™s initiatives from the view of democracy? The parliament is authorized for approval of these proposals. One of the expressions of the state sovereignty in Azerbaijan is adoption of the laws freely within the domestic interests and by the parliament elected by the people. All of us should accept that. The draft law was submitted to the parliament and it will express its ideas. We need to waitâ€.