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Daniel Blessington: â€œWe believe in democratic elections in Azerbaijanâ€ - EXCLUSIVE

Daniel Blessington: â€œWe believe in democratic elections in Azerbaijanâ€ - <font color=red>EXCLUSIVE</font>

09 July 2008 09:57 (UTC +04:00)

-Which actions concerned with presidential elections are you planning to realize?
Geared toward the October 2008 Presidential elections, IFES Azerbaijan works to assist the government of Azerbaijan in fulfilling its international and national election commitments. IFES objectives of the project are to establish a more effective and impartial legal and regulatory framework for elections: and strengthen electoral management bodies so they may better execute their functions. IFES Azerbaijan, along with the Council of Europeâ€™s Venice Commission and the OSCEâ€™s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, worked closely with the Presidential Apparat and the Central Election Commission (CEC) on the process of amending the Election Code. IFES Azerbaijan took the lead in bringing political parties and civil society into process, by holding meetings on the issue of CEC composition and complaints and appeals. The meetings, held in February 2007, were aimed at garnering concrete recommendations to present before the legislative drafters on the issue. Now that the amendments are law, IFES Azerbaijan will work on monitor ring and facilitating the implementation of revisions to the code. As EMB Capacity Building, IFES Azerbaijan continues technical assistance to the CEC through regular consultations with its leadership and partition in CEC meetings. We work with CEC to implement new amendments to revisions to complaints and appeals. Consultant has been to Azerbaijan via IFES and returns at the end of month. We work with Venice commission in training of Constituency Election Commission ConECs. We are preparing plan on developing a training video for Precinct Election Commission (PECs). IFES Azerbaijan will also continue working with the CEC to provide information products for EMBs and voters. As in the past, these information products will be developed and disseminated through the CEC.
-Do you publish various campaign materials for every election? Did it make voters more active and members of election commissions more educated?
As a rule, we publish Election Day Guide (Azerbaijani and English) , Voting Steps Guide (Azerbaijani and English ), English Translations of the Election Code, Additional Azerbaijani copies of the Election Code. We plan to hold public service announcements (PSAs) and training video depending on funding. Providing information and education to voters and election officials is extremely important. I have no doubt that it helps.
-How do you assess the desire of some oppositional parties for boycotting elections?
IFES is a scrupulously non-partisan organization, and I wonâ€™t comment on the political decisions of any political party or individual. They will do what they believe is best from their individual perspectives. As a general rule, however, we believe in competition and promote participation in the electoral process. We believe that it will be possible to conduct democratic elections in Azerbaijan.
-Is there a plan to cooperate with some of the oppositional parties?
IFES is non-partisan organization. We are concerned about improving how elections are conducted. To that end we work cooperatively with official bodies, international actors, political parties and civil society. We conduct roundtables and seminars and provide publications to political parties. Our door is always open to political parties should they need help and information on technical aspects of elections.
-What is your attitude towards the fact that official Baku considers the financial assistance assigned by the US for conducting of elections as interference in interior issues of the state?
The USG-through USAID â€“funds our operation in Azerbaijan. We also receive funding from other countries and international actors, but USG funding allows us to maintain an office and employees in Azerbaijan in between elections. IFES works closely with the CEC and Presidential Office at their request.
Some of parties consider IFES unserious organization. What is your attitude towards this opinion?
I know who said it. People can say what they want. IFES is a serious organization. We are more educated organisation in election issues in Azerbaijan.