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EU observer: â€œOur observation outcomes do not match with the OSCE ODIHR reportâ€

12 October 2013 12:28 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Shamil Alibeyli – APA. “I’m indeed generally familiar with the OSCE ODIHR report and it is perfectly clear that our observation outcomes do not match with reflections in this report. I do feel that the mentioned statement does not acknowledge Azerbaijan's efforts to set up democratic election system fairly enough,” Kadri Tillemann, an alternate member of EU Committee of the Regions from Estonia, who observed the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, told APA.

He said that their small delegation consisted of 8 members from various EU countries with different political background. Our mission goal was limited with a task to observe the technical conduction of electoral procedures during the election day, so unfortunately we had to leave shortly after the elections were over: “. I personally visited 11 polling stations in Baku, observed both the opening and the counting procedures and I did not notice any major procedural shortcomings whatsoever. I'm indeed generally familiar with the OSCE ODIHR report and it is perfectly clear that our observation outcomes do not match with reflections in this report.”

The statement on the presidential elections issued by the delegation of EU Committee of the Regions, who was on a visit to our country on October 6-10, says that the election process was in line with democratic standards and principles. The statement also notes that on election day, voting occurred in a calm environment, ensuring the people of Azerbaijan were free to express their will at the polls, there were no irregularities.

It was also said that the Committee encourages Azerbaijan to continue working toward meeting international democratic standards and in particular with OSCE and Council of Europe resolutions and commitments.

The Committee calls on Azerbaijan’s international partners, including OSCE-PA and ODIHR, to monitor progress as well as shortcomings, and to continue a constructive dialogue with Azerbaijan.