The experience gained in the previous presidential and parliamentary elections demonstrates that the democratic election system and tradition have already been formed in our country. Regardless of anyone’s views, the opinion and position of the Azerbaijani citizens is the main factor determining the fate of the elections and everyone should respect this choice,” chief of socio-political department of the Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov said in his interview with APA while commenting on the interim report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
“As to the upcoming presidential elections, I consider that all stages of the electoral process – nomination of candidates, signature collection campaign and registration of candidates have been implemented under the requirements of the Election Code. 22 persons have been nominated up to now, signature sheets were not given one of them. 11 persons failed to properly conduct signature collection campaign. 10 out them have been registered as presidential candidate. No law violation has been observed during the campaign.”
Hasanov noted that the Azerbaijani Parliament has appealed to 9 international organizations to observe the elections: “The electoral process is expected to be observed by about 1000 foreign long- and short-term observers and thousands of local observers. However, free airtime on the Public TV and radio and free places in the official newspapers will be allocated to all candidates. The candidates may also benefit from paid campaign in the registered media outlets by appealing to the Central election Committee. Appropriate places have been allocated in Baku and regions to hold meetings with voters. District and precinct election commissions are completely ready to the electoral process. 1000 webcams have been installed in polling stations to observe the elections online. The Central Election Commission has determined the voters' lists and more than 5 million citizens have been found capable of realizing their right to vote.
I would like to note that Azerbaijan is establishing its activity basing on mutual confidence, objectivity, transparent and active norms within prestigious international organizations and always honors the principles of these organizations and respects their position. Unfortunately, reports and opinions of international organizations are sometimes tendentious and are based more on double standards. Particularly, the recent report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights gives an impression that the task of the organization is not to assess the real situation on the eve of the election objectively, but to drop remarks deliberately. There are unacceptable shortcomings both in the presentation of the process and selection of the expressions in this context. For example, it is claimed that some parties “are not allowed” to the parliament. The parliament is formed within the existing legislation and will of the people. If any candidate of the party loses the chance to be represented in the parliament by failing to gain the necessary votes, it is wrong to interpret it as “they are not allowed”.
The department chief considers that questions arise when the issues not remembered during the election process in other countries are exaggerated in Azerbaijan.
“How objective is it to regard as a “shortcoming” the fact that women have not been nominated for presidency in Azerbaijan? Who deprives women of this right? Does such a legal or administrative restriction exist? Women are represented in all government agencies, elected bodies, are active enough in the society. In terms of percentage of women represented in the parliament, Azerbaijan may serve as an example to some European countries. Let those who have made this report say how many OSCE member states had female presidents.
To monitor our history of independence and come to conclusions basing on subjective views also cast shadow on the objectiveness of the document. Linking to the elections the laws passed in the previous years or amendments and annexes to the laws, other issues not related to the election process shows that the methodology applied by OSCE/ODIHR is wrong. Moreover, the groundless claims regarding the freedom of media, freedom of assembly and other issues give us ground to say that this report does not reflect the reality.
I think the practice of double standards should be ended. Anyway, OSCE/ODIHR gave “positive” assessment to the elections in Armenia, where the candidates were shot, went on hunger strike against violations, the votes were rigged. Taking all this into account, with the view of increasing public confidence in the mission’s reports, I think that it would be better to observe the criterion of objectiveness, to avoid mistakes.
I am sure that the presidential elections will be held in line with the country’s legislation, Azerbaijan’s commitments vis-à-vis the international organizations and get objective and high assessment of both local and foreign observers.
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