Approved by Decision #11/65
dated on July 12, 2003
of the Central Election Commission
of the Republic of Azerbaijan

I N S T R U C T I O N
on rules for preparation of ballot papers and envelopes and submitting them to Constituency and Precinct Election Commissions

1. Text, format and number of ballot papers as well as preparation of envelopes at the necessary size and form to put them in shall be approved by Decision of the Central Election Commission at least 35 days prior to the Election Day.
1.1. Ballot papers should contain surnames of candidates in alphabetical order. Each ballot paper should be numbered one by one in consecutive order and the ballot paper should contain the comment on rules for its completion. The number should be indicated in the cut-off corner of the ballot paper.
1.2. For the preparation of ballot papers and envelopes in the defined form to put them in, the following documents shall be submitted to the Central Election Commission:
- letter and decision of the Central Election Commission on the publication of ballot papers and preparation of envelopes at the relevant size;
- approved samples of ballot papers and envelopes by the Central Election Commission
- size of the envelope should be appropriate to the size of the slot of the ballot box;
- report on the number of ballot papers on each constituency.
1.3. Ballot papers and envelopes are prepared in publishing houses at least 10 days prior to the Election Day under the observance of representatives of the Central Election Commission.
1.4. The number of the prepared ballot papers and envelopes can be 3% more than the number of voters registered in the relevant constituency.
2. The authorized representative of the publishing house ensures the division of invalid ballot papers and hands to the authorized representative of the Central Election Commission on an act on the number of ballot papers and envelopes, date of issue, numbers and date. After handling ballot papers and envelopes according to the order, officials of the publishing house cancel already destroyed and invalid ballot papers and compile an act on this with signatures of all participants.
2.1. Commissioners of the Central Election Commission, as well as candidates and their authorized representatives, authorized representatives of political parties and blocs of political parties can observe these actions. The Central Election Commission shall give information on the date and place of issue of ballot papers and envelopes to these persons.
2.2. After getting ballot papers and envelopes from the publishing house, the Central Election Commission compiles an act indicating the number, date if issue, time of ballot papers and envelopes by participation of the Chairman and Secretariat of the relevant Constituency Election Commission (Сon.EC) at least 5 days prior to the voting day. The Con.EC provides the Precinct Election Commission (PEC) with ballot papers and envelopes at least 3 days prior to the voting day in the above-mentioned order.
2.3. The number of ballot papers and envelopes submitted to each PEC shall be defined by Decision of the Con.EC. The number of ballot papers and envelopes issued to PEC shall not be less than 90 % or exceed 0,5 % of the number of voters included in the list on polling stations up to the day of their submission.
2.4. If the number of ballot papers and envelopes received and that are to be given is not appropriate, then the Con.EC shall be informed on this inappropriateness immediately. Right corner of the front side of the ballot paper shall be verified by the seal of the PEC.
3. Chairmen of election commissions giving, receiving and preserving ballot papers are responsible for giving and preserving ballot papers and envelopes.
3.1. While handling ballot papers and envelopes from the Central Election Commission to the Con.EC and from the Con.EC to the PEC in the relevant order, an act consisting of 2 copies shall be compiled. The act shall be signed by the official (officials) of the Central Election Commission on one hand, by chairman and secretaries of the Con.EC or chairman and secretaries of the PEC on another hand. Persons specified by items 2.1-2.4 of this instruction can participate in all these processes. List of these persons is attached to the act.
4. After providing polling stations with ballot papers and envelopes, they should be preserved only in the polling station and faithful protected place.