Approved by Decision # 9/57
of the Central Election Commission
of the Republic of Azerbaijan
dated on July 8, 2003

R e g u l a t i o n

on the working group for checking the accuracy of the information in the signature sheets and other election documents submitted to the Central Election Commission by the candidates, political parties, block of political parties

These regulations determine the legal status, the responsibilities, activity rules of the working group created for checking the accuracy of the information in the signature sheets and other election documents submitted to the Central Election Commission by the candidates, political parties, block of political parties.

1. General provisions

1.1. The establishment of the working group within the Central Election Commission is stipulated by the article 59 of the Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
1.2. The working group can be comprised of a member of the Central Election Commission, experts, expert-specialists of the relevant bodies, as well as the specialists from the special bodies and organizations implementing the registration of people.
1.3. The working group is created by the decision of the Central Election Commission and its term of office shall be terminated in 60 days prior to the Election Day.
1.4. The candidates, their authorized representatives, the authorized representatives of political parties, blocks of the political parties can participate in the checking process of signature sheets in the Central Election Commission. The Central Election Commission must inform the mentioned persons about the checking of the signature sheets in advance. The Election Commission cannot object or pose obstacles for participation of the person assigned by the candidate, political parties, and block of political party in checking process. All signatures in the signature sheets must be checked out.
1.5. The working group conducts its activities on the basis of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, other legislative acts of the Republic of Azerbaijan and decisions and regulations of the Central Election Commission.

2. The responsibilities of the working group.

2.1. The Central Election Commission can make an appeal to relevant bodies at the request of the chairperson of the working group in regard to checking of information and facts submitted in conformity with the Election Code.
2.2. The experts and specialists in the working group check out the information and facts in the signature sheets as well as in other election documents submitted by the candidates, political parties, block of political party and give their opinion individually about the accuracy of information in the signature sheets and other election documents.
2.3. Their opinions serve as confirmation of the accuracy of the information in the signature sheets. The opinion indicating the reasons for consideration the voters’ signatures invalid the number of relevant folder, and the number of line in the relevant signature list.
2.4. The working group gives a relevant opinion about the accuracy of the information and facts in the signature sheets submitted, as well as the election documents of the candidates, political parties, block of political parties. Prepares the table about the results of checking indicating the reasons for consideration of voters’ signatures invalid, the number of relevant folder and the number of line in the relevant signature list.
2.5. The chairperson of the working group complies protocol about the results of checking of the signature sheets of each candidate, signs it, attaches the opinions of experts and specialists and the table and introduces to the Central Election Commission for relevant decision. The number of signatures considered invalid should be recorded in protocol indicating the reasons for such consideration. The copy of the protocol should be delivered to the candidate, representative of political party, block of political party at least 24 hours before the beginning of the Central Election Commission meeting considering the issue of registration of the candidate.

3. The functions of the working group

3.1. For the implementation of its responsibilities the working group carries out the following functions:

- Checking the documents considered by the Election Code, the information in signature sheets of each candidate for registration as candidate for presidency
- To specify the accuracy of information in the signature sheets.

4. The rights of the working group

The working group has the following rights approved by the Central Election Commission:

4.1. To request and obtain information from the candidate, authorized representatives of political party, block of political parties, individuals collecting signatures, voters on matters within its powers;
4.2. To make an appeal to relevant state bodies, municipal institutions, and other bodies on matters related to the implementation of its activities, to request the necessary information and materials on matters within its powers;
4.3. The relevant bodies should give official response to the appeals of the working group within 3 days, but if there are 75 days left before the election day they should give the official response not later than 1 day;
4.4. To prepare the opinions considered as the basis for confirming the accuracy of the information in the signature sheets and to compile the protocol of the working group on checking results of the signature lists of each candidate and submit it to the Central Election Commission for making decision.

5. The rule of working group formation

5.1. The composition of the working group, its chairperson is selected and dismissed by the decision of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
5.2. The chairmanship of the working group is implemented by the member of the Central Election Commission having a decisive right who created the group
5.3. The members of the working group are assigned upon agreement with heads of relevant state bodies and they implement their activities being temporarily diverted from their permanent-working place still being paid their salaries and other fees.
5.4. The experts and specialist involved conclude labor contract in the form determined by the Central Election Commission and they will receive salary within this period

6. Rights and responsibilities of the head of the working group

6.1. Organizes the work of the working group, makes an appeal to relevant bodies and institutions upon agreement with the Central Election Commission, requests documents. Provides the Central Election Commission with the complied and signed protocol on the checking results of the signature sheets of each candidate for making decision.
6.2. Distributes responsibilities among the group members, sets assignments for specialists and control their implementation;
6.3. Ensures the cooperative activity of the working group with the Central Election Commission;
6.4. Signs the protocols and other documents of the working group;
6.5. Reports on activity of the working group at request of the Central election Commission;

7. Final provisions

7.1. The amendments to this regulation can be made by the decision of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan.