AZERBAIJANI LAWS DO NOT GUARANTEE FAIR ELECTIONS. ANALYSIS
20:14, 11 April, 2013
YEREVAN, APRIL 11, ARMENPRESS: Azerbaijani Civil Society Coalition
"For transparent and fair elections" presented an analysis of the
pre-election situation in Azerbaijan. The presentation, held at
the International Press Center looked at election monitoring and
recommendations, with a particular focus on electoral law.
Experts prepared documents that were presented to the public from the
members of the coalition, having significant experience in monitoring
elections in Azerbaijan. According to Coordinator Arzu Abdullayeva,
this civil society organization decided to bring their contribution
to the democratic environment in an election year.
As reports Armenpress, referring to contact.az, authorities believe
that the existing conditions guarantee democratic elections and are
unwilling to change the law that, according to the opposition and
independent NGOs, does not create the conditions for a fair election,
and especially for the voters, said Mehman Aliyev, Director of the
Turan News Agency. He presented a paper entitled "Analysis of the
pre-election situation in Azerbaijan."
Aliyev noted that analysis of the legislation and recent protests
in the country is not calming. "If you save the legislation in its
current form, the authorities will inevitably turn the individual
grievances into a single channel of protest across the country,
because almost all the population is part of one process - the
election of the president. And universal violation will inevitably
provoke universal protests."
The analytical report highlighted 32 specific violations that occurred
during previous elections, which could be repeated if the current
electoral law and other laws limiting the activities of political
parties, NGOs and the media are retained.
The Coalition has concluded that the Azerbaijani government has an
obligation to review current legislation and bring it in line with
international laws.
20:14, 11 April, 2013
YEREVAN, APRIL 11, ARMENPRESS: Azerbaijani Civil Society Coalition
"For transparent and fair elections" presented an analysis of the
pre-election situation in Azerbaijan. The presentation, held at
the International Press Center looked at election monitoring and
recommendations, with a particular focus on electoral law.
Experts prepared documents that were presented to the public from the
members of the coalition, having significant experience in monitoring
elections in Azerbaijan. According to Coordinator Arzu Abdullayeva,
this civil society organization decided to bring their contribution
to the democratic environment in an election year.
As reports Armenpress, referring to contact.az, authorities believe
that the existing conditions guarantee democratic elections and are
unwilling to change the law that, according to the opposition and
independent NGOs, does not create the conditions for a fair election,
and especially for the voters, said Mehman Aliyev, Director of the
Turan News Agency. He presented a paper entitled "Analysis of the
pre-election situation in Azerbaijan."
Aliyev noted that analysis of the legislation and recent protests
in the country is not calming. "If you save the legislation in its
current form, the authorities will inevitably turn the individual
grievances into a single channel of protest across the country,
because almost all the population is part of one process - the
election of the president. And universal violation will inevitably
provoke universal protests."
The analytical report highlighted 32 specific violations that occurred
during previous elections, which could be repeated if the current
electoral law and other laws limiting the activities of political
parties, NGOs and the media are retained.
The Coalition has concluded that the Azerbaijani government has an
obligation to review current legislation and bring it in line with
international laws.