DECISION

of Central Election (Referenda) Commission
of the Republic of Azerbaijan

on consideration of the appeal of authorized representative of referendum initiative group Hasan Kerimov “Movement for Karabakh and Republic” in referendum appointed for March 18, 2009

On January 23, 2009, the authorized representative of referendum initiative group “Movement for Karabakh and Republic” Hasan Kerimov applied with written appeal to Central Election (Referendum) Commission, claiming that since January 17 of current year, persons collecting signatures in support of initiative group (Emil Mammadov, Nuramir Mammadov, Suleyman Kerimov, Rovshan Sadigov and Movsum Asgerov) were pressured by local executive authorities and police officers in Salyan, Hajigabul, Sabirabad, Neftchala and Zerdab regions as well as in Mingechevir city and requested to undertake appropriate measures on this defined by law.   
Pursuant to Article 112 and 112-1 of Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Instruction “on rules for submission and consideration complaints and appeals on violation of voting rights by Central Election Commission and Constituency Election Commission”, a member of an expert group established within the Central Election (Referendum) Commission investigated the appeal of the authorized representative and provided relevant opinion on it which was considered at the meeting of Central Election (Referendum) Commission. 
As a result of investigation, it was defined that there was not any case of pressure evident on the above mentioned persons collecting signatures in support of referendum initiative group. Regarding Rovshan Sadigov and Movsum Asgerov, the authorized bodies made relevant decisions in accordance with rules defined by legislation and concerned with existence of elements provided by Article 234.1 of Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
In this regards, the appeal of the authorized representative of referendum initiative group “Movement for Karabakh and Republic” Hasan Kerimov did not find its confirmation during investigation. He did not provide any evidences on this issue.
On the above mentioned basis, the appeal of the authorized representative shall not be satisfied due to lack of grounds.
Taking the above mentioned as basis, pursuant to Article 112, 112-1 of Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Item 1,2,4,6 and 7 of Instruction “on submission and investigation of complaints and appeals on violation of election rights by Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan and constituency election commissions” the Central Election Commission shall decide:      

1. The appeal of the authorized representative of referendum initiative group “Movement for Karabakh and Republic” Hasan Kerimov shall not be satisfied due to lack of grounds.
2. Decision shall come into force from the moment of its publication.

CEC Chairman                                                                                        Mazahir Panahov

CEC Deputy Chairman                                                                           Svetlana Gasimova

CEC Secretary                                                                                        Natig Mammadov

CEC Commissioners:                                                                             Fuad Javadov

Ramiz Ibrahimov

 Valida Kazimova

Gabil Orujov

Tofig Hasanov

Ilham Mammadov

Nizami Nadirov

Azer Taghiyev

Tamam Jafarova

Rovshan Ismayilov