STATEMENT
by Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Process of pre-election campaign that is a very important stage in third call Elections to the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan which plays crucial role in the life of Azerbaijani people is going on. Events related to elections are the focus of attention of not only our republic, but also of many states and international organizations.
Central Election Commission ensured formation of equal conditions for registered candidates, political parties and political party blocs on the account of allocations by the state by TV and radio organizations founders of which are state bodies or financed by the state budget, as well as periodicals to popularize their pre-election programs. These persons were also provided with all necessary conditions for realization of their campaigns by using paid airtime. Pre-election campaign shall basically be implemented in the case defined by law.
Besides the above-mentioned, Central Election Commission considers important to state that cases of seizing power by force inappropriate with the requirements of law, calling to change the constitutional structure by force, dissemination of libel characterized ideas and opinions that humiliates citizens’ dignity and honour, forms social hatred and hostility and does not meet any ethic norm shall be prohibited in speeches made related to pre-election campaign by candidates registered in the case defined by law, representatives of political parties, political party blocs the candidates of which have been registered in TV and radio channels and in other conducted activities. Unfortunately, the persons conducting pre-election campaign do not abide these requirements of law fully in some cases while using TV channels. And this forms situation for these organizations to be medium in formation of such objectionable consequences. Though Central Election Commission conducts wide legal education activities related to the prevention of such actions, the above-mentioned law violations are still being observed.
Central Election Commission addresses to candidates registered to participate in elections, political parties, political party blocs the candidates of which have been registered, their authorized representatives and agents, TV and radio companies functioning in our country, as well as other mass media that the activity of these organizations and persons shall meet requirements of law, illegal calls and ideas, discretions humiliating dignity and honour of citizens and other candidates shall be prohibited in meetings and speeches dedicated to meeting with voters and in campaign materials conveyed in mass media.
While allocating airtime for registered candidates, TV and radio organizations shall seriously follow requirements of Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and prevent cases of abusing in this field.
Central Election Commission requires serious abidance of requirements of Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan from candidates, political parties, political party blocs and other participants of this process who participate in elections and declares that offence of the legislation provisions regulating these terms shall cause liability defined by Criminal Code, Code of Administrative Offences and Civil Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Central Election Commission
of the Republic of Azerbaijan