As the following Municipal Elections to be conducted on 23 December 2009 in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the activity of the Central Election Commission has been further intensified and the projects have been ended after being executed.
The registration of the candidates to participate in Municipal Elections was continued and ended during November.
Since October 9, the citizens whose candidacies have been approved took signature sheets and collected signatures. 35094 contenders took signature sheets and 33857 candidate who collected signatures submitted the signature sheets together with the other documents to the Constituency Election Commission (Con.EC). Among the contenders who returned signature sheets were 21342 representatives of political parties and 12515 independent citizens. Till November 12, the process of returning signature sheets by candidates have been ended. The con.Ecs gave necessary recommendations to candidates for smooth development of the process and avoiding irregularirites in the submitted documents. In their turn, the Con.ECs investigated the submitted documents and adopted relevant decision on the candidate registration. The process of candidate registration lasted till November 23 and 32449 out of 33857 contenders who returned signature sheets were registered. And 445 contender who returned signature sheets refused to be registered. 963 of the contenders allowed serious law violations in the submitted documents, therefore, it was impossible to register them.
In the aim of ensuring transparency in the process of candidate registration, the information on this is received from Con.ECs via “Election” Information Network, it is located on the web page of the Central Election Commission and daily updated.
Through specific search system created on web page, perfect information on each candidate registered on every municipality was conveyed to the publicity. Furthermore, the information on the registered candidates was published in local press and delivered to the voters.
In the phase of candidate registration, the contenders who don’t agree with the decision of the Con.EC applied to the CEC. The appeals and complaints entered the Commission were investigated by the Expert Group consisting of 9 persons established pursuant to Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan and “Instruction on the rules for submitting complaints and appeals related to violating electoral rights to Central Election Commission and Constituency Election Commissions and considering them” prepared jointly with the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and Central Election Commission adopted decision by discussing them. Central Election Commission received 66 appeals, so that 45 out of them concern candidate registration. The documents of 76 contenders mentioned in these complaints and who don’t agree witht the Con.EC decision were investigated once more by the Working Group established by the CEC and 60 out of their appeals were implemented and they were empowered to participate in elections as a candidate. 52 out of the candidates whose appeals have been implemented were representatives of political parties (Musavat Party – 25, Azerbaijan “Umid” (Hope) Party – 21, Azerbaijan Democrat Party – 3, Modern Musavat Party – 2, Azerbaijan Communist Party - 1) and 8 of them were independent candidates. The remaining appeals on 16 contenders did not assert themselves, the decision of the relevant Con.EC on the refusal from registering these citizens was maintined in force (independents – 6, New Azerbaijan Party – 4, Azerbaijan “Umid” (Hope) Party – 3, Democratic Azerbaijan World Party – 2, Azerbaijan Democratic Party - 1). The appeals entered the Central Election Commission are investigated in time and operative manner, relevant decision is adopted and the voters are informed of the consequences of their appeals.
In general, 56 out of 74 decisions adopted in 2 months concern the appeals entered the Central Election Commission. The candidacies of 60 persons on different municipalities were approved by the CEC.
After ending the registration, pre-election campaign of candidates was commenced. This stage is one of the important phases of election competition. Central Election Commission took many steps to ensure equal conditions for candidates, so that these were directed to ensure equal pre-election campaign. Costs determined for the paid airtime offered to the candidates by Public TV and Radio  Broadcasting Company, APA Information Agency, Lent.az, “Riyad Media” Information Agency, “Azerbaijan”, “Republika”, “Azad Azerbayjan”, “Ses”, “Uch nogta”, “168 saat”, “Musavat” newspapers were submitted to Central Election Commission and this information was located on the web page of the Commission for candidates to be familiar with. Therewith, more than 5000 boards were installed for campaign materials of candidates within each polling station. One of the important parts of pre-election campaign are meetings with voters and gatherings. To this aim, pursuant to Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, local executive structures allocate open and closed venues for candidates within each residence in the republic. By informing the Con.EC, the candidates used these places freely. In general, candidates were facilitated to meet with voters and convey them their instructions.
Education of the parties participating in elections is one of the fields of great importance to the CEC. Many projects were implemented for the participants of election process to be familiar with the requirements of Election Code. The main target of education program are voters, members of lower election commissions and other participants of election. International organizations are cooperated in this field, too.
One of the projects from this series are informational sessions on the subject “unavailability of interference in election process” conducted jointly with the Administration of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and OSCE Baku office. In the framework of the project, 3 sessions were considered to be held during November, so, they were conducted in Baku (16 November 2009), Shirvan (17 November 2009) and Ganja (18 November 2009). At the activity, the representatives of Central Election Commission, Presidential Administration, OSCE Baku office, heads of executive authorities in the republic regions and chairpersons of the Con.ECs took part. The main goal of the activity was to inform the participants on the cases might be estimated as interference in election process, forms of interference committed in election practice of foreign countries and ways of avoiding them. During the sessions, many issues were elucidated and avoiding interference in election process was thoroughly discussed.
“National Activity Plan on the protection of Human rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan” approved by Order of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, dated on 28 December 2006 specially emphasizes education of election commissions. By taking this into consideration, Central Election Commission regularly prepares and implements  projects for increasing the professionalism level of the members of election commissions. One of the projects which was launched since 2002 and has become traditional is a training program conducted by using visual aids for lower election commissions. In 2008, Central Election Commission prepared 2 local trainers for every constituency jointly with Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. These trainers play important role in educating the members of Constituency and Precinct Election Commissions (Con.Ecs, PECs). For educating lower election commmissions related to Municipal Elections of 2009, training program with 2 stages was prepared. In the frame of first stage, on 23-26 November, “Training for Trainers” was conducted by Training Group of Central Election Commission in Baku. During this training, 236 local trainers were informed on the voting process, related procedures and specific aspects in Municipal Elections, therewith, the practice attained in trainings conducted during previous elections was discussed and they were instructed on necessary issues. CEC Training Group prepared relevant project for the trainers of Con.ECs and PECs on constituencies. According to the project, CEC Training Group prepared special subsidiary slides which reflect the information necessary for the members of lower election commissions and submitted them in discs to training groups. Second phase of the training of lower election commissions was commenced since December 1. Local training groups started trainings in the form of small groups of the members of lower election commissions on constituencies in accordance with the table submitted by Training Group and by using visual aids, this process lasted till 10 December. In the frame of training, the members of lower election commissions were detailed informed on election process. Therewith, during these trainings, each PEC member was submitted “Election Day Guide” booklet, sample copies of the protocol on the voting results and many other document samples. In general, these trainings were attended by more than 25.000 commission members and officials of Con.EC Secretariat.
One of the projects implemented with International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) in the aim of election-related education, were regional seminars on the subject “Appeals and complaints” attended by public organizations and local election bodies.
Therewith, representatives of Central Election Commission took part at zone seminar-conferences organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the participants were informed on the realization of service duties of the organs of internal affairs during Municipal Elections, as well as on the relevant provisions of Election Code.
One of the target mass of education projects are the most important participants – voters. Education of electorate has been the standpoint of projects in different formats implemented by Central Election Commission. To this aim, Central Election Commission implemented round table project on municipalities which was broadcasted by Khazar TV jointly with OSCE Baku office. In the frame of the project, these programs conducted with the participation of higher state bodies, international organizations and non-governmental organizations and where interesting discussions had been held, were broadcasted as 4 TV programs of different sorts during November. These programs were conducted under the conditions of discussing the issues on the role and duties of municipalities, future perspectives, participation of women in municipality management and their turnout in Municipal Elections, preparations to elections, performed works and so on. and many interesting issues were explained for the audience.
Another project directed toward voters educations was implemented by Central Election Commission and Public TV and Radio Broadcasting Company. In the program broadcasted twice in a week, representatives of Central Election Commission informed the voters on different topics. Therewith, in two programs broadcasted during November, the Con.EC chairpersons informed the publicity on the activities taken by them and current situation in election constituencies represented by them.
Education circles prepared by Central Election Commission also played important role in voters education. The advertisement circles on the subject “Check your name in the voters list”, “Voters search for their names in the web page of Central Election Commission”, “Voting procedure” and “Challenge to elections” were submitted to various TV channels which function in the republic and broadcasted by them within the relevant period.
Among the works implemented by Central Election Commission in the direction of education, there is the preparation of print mediums of different kind. As in previous elections, posters and booklets on different topics have been published in Municipal Elections, too.
Commission published posters which inform the voters on the date of elections, invite them to check their names in the voters lists, inform on the web page of Central Election Commission, challenge to elections and Calendar Plan on the preparation and conduct of the forthcoming Municipal Elections, sample of ballot paper and protocol in large format (A1) and submitted to Con.ECs, in their turn, they hang these materials in the areas and polling stations densely populated.
The publication of legal-methodical means which have important role in education of the members of lower election commissions has always been focus of attention. The Commission published the adopted instructions, comments and rules like a booklet. These booklets of 6 volumes, Calendar Plan, “Election Day Guide” and “Guide for Observers” booklets were published and submitted to each election participant, therewith, additional copies were distributed for preserving the constituency and precinct on information board. Notification on Election Day which reflects the information directed toward the voter education on the voting procedures and published in about 5 mln. edition, submitted to every voter also plays important role.
One of the prioritet aspects for Central Election Commission is cooperation with international and foreign bodies. During November-December, this cooperation was continued. Representatives of many embassies functioning in our republic, Baku offices of the Council of Europe and OSCE, IFES and such other bodies were regularly kept contact with and held view exchanges with them. Therewith, during these months, delegations of Ago monitoring group of the Council of Europe, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe visited Central Election Commission and met with M.Panahov, Commission Chairman. In the meetings regularly conducted between Central Election Commission and OSCE Baku office, joint implemented projects were discussed.
Traditionally, representatives of the relevant international and foreign bodies fucntioning in the republic were invited to all the sessions of Central Election Commission and they took part.
In november, one of the important processes was the specification of voters lists. For voters to check their names in  the lists, intensive campaign was continued on electron mass media. Con.ECs made necessary amendments in the voters lists jointly with the relevant local bodies in accordance with the voters route on constituencies and regularly informed Central Election Commission on this. Pursuant to Election Code, voters lists shall be published 35 days prior to the voting day and submitted to the constituencies and hung in the precincts for voters to be familiar with. 25 days prior to Election Day, explicit variant of the specified lists shall be re-published, provided to Con.Ecs, therewith, specified voter base shall be located on web page of the CEC.
Search system of voters on the web page of Central Election Commission was available for voters in order to check their information. In the case when the voter didn’t find his/her name in the voters list, then applied to the Commission via electron hot line and these appeals were investigated, the grounded ones were implemented.
Hot line # 115 and online hot line related to elections received nearly 300 appeals in November-December, so, these were mainly inquiries by candidates and voters.
The preparation and publication of ballot papers for Municipal Elections were commenced in November. The format and number of ballot papers were approved by Central Election Commission, ballot papers on 1718 municipalities were in time published and submitted to Con.Ecs.
Informing the publicity during election competition plays important role for the CEC. By taking this into consideration, CEC closely cooperated with mass media during November-December and they were regularly informed on preparations to elections. In the aim of ensuring transparency in the work of the Commission, CEC sessions were open as always and they were beforehand informed on the time of sessions.
At the pressent,  12 TV, 6 radio organizations, 35 newspapers, 28 agencies, as well as 12 foreign mass media (“Reuters”, “France Press”, “Mir”, “Anadolu Ajansi” and so on) were accredited at the Commission to participate in the activities of Central Election Commission.
In November-December, more than 50 speeches, interviews and explanations on different subjects of CEC members and officials were elightened in mass media. During these two months, CEC Chairman conducted 5 press conferences for local and foreign mass media representatives. At press conferences, Chairman gave information on the latest activities taken by the CEC, works performed in the direction of elections and replied to the questions interested journalists.
Broad information on the CEC activity was provided on mass media, press releases, explanations and articles on sessions, organized activities were published. Therewith, pursuant to Election Code, decisions and normative acts adopted by the Commission were published in “Azerbaijan” newspaper. More than 500 materials on the CEC activity were published in newspapers.
The reforms implemented since 2007 in the direction of improving the working conditions of election commissions are further intensified. So, since 2007, material-technical base of 125 Con.Ecs which locate within the republic have been strengthened and nearly 100 of them have been provided with new administrative buildings which meet modern requirements and administrative apartments where the others locate have been fundamentally repaired. All the Con.ECs were supplied with informational technologies and office equipment which meet modern standards. Since 2008, locating election precincts in the buildings with better conditions has been continued during these elections, too and their supply has always been the focus of attention.
Central Election Commission takes necessary steps in providing Con.ECs and PECs with equipment related to the preparations to the forthcoming Municipal Elections. So, lower election commmissions were provided with necessary publication materials, ballot boxes to use on the voting day, invisible ink baloons, ultraviolet lamp, batteries for them, voting booths, once-used security locks, office equipment and other necessary aids. From the point of view of supply, both PECs and Con.Ecs are ready for Election Day by being fully provided with equipment.
In November-December, 9 sessions were conducted and 74 decisions were adopted at these sessions by Central Election Commission. In essence, these decisions concern the registration of the authorized representatives of political parties, the approval of the members having consultative right of Central Election Commission, the rules for the preparation, text, format and number of ballot papers, the consideration of the appeals entered Central Election Commission, determination of election results on the municipalities the territories of which have been distributed among several constituencies, registration of the organizations which applied for conducting “exit poll”, making amendments in the composition of some Con.ECs and approval of session minutes of the Commission.
Transparency of the process plays important role in the conduct of free and just elections.
40906 local observers were accredited for observing these elections. 153 out of 1160 observers from local observers accredited by the CEC who intend to conduct observation within the whole republic joined the observation of elections by political parties, 180 of them by non-governmental organizations and the others on their own initiatives. Another group of local observers was accredited by the relevant Con.EC within the borders of definite constituency. The number of these observers is 39746, 19163 of them represent political parties and 1172 of them represent non-governmental organizations and 19411 observers observe on their own initiatives.
54 international observers accredited by the CEC represent 13 international organizations (Council of Europe, European Union, Council of European Union, IFES, NDI and USA, United Kingdom, France, Norway, Belgium, Poland, Bulgarian, Lithuanian embassies) and consist of 18 country citizens.
Both local and international observers were provided with the relevant badge and guide books for observers, as well as for Election Day.
The usage pracitce of web cameras which has been applied since 2008 in election history of Azerbaijan and allows to live follow the voting process through internet outside of the polling station will be continued in these elections, too. In 500 (approximately in 10%) out of 4813 precincts of our republic, web cameras have already been installed by the decision of Central Election Commission. Through these web cameras, it is possible to incessantly follow the live voting process and determination of results by counting the votes by entering the CEC web page either within the country or abroad. The works in this direction has already been ended and web cameras have been tested.
2 organizations intending to conduct exit-poll on the voting day – “Assistance Association       to Development of Civil Society in Azerbaijan” and “ELS” Independent Investigations Center were registered by the CEC pursuant to Election Code.
CEC locates the information on elections on its web page to be easily available for the publicity and regularly updates it. The information on the approval and registration of candidates which lasted during November-December, decisions, normative-legal acts, document samples and press releases on the activity adopted by the CEC were operatively located in Azerbaijani and English languages on the web page. Therewith, the voters address their appeals, suggestions and opinions to the CEC through e-mail on the web page. Voters search system on the web page for voters to check their names in the lists is widely used. On the web page, the information on the municipalities where elections will be conducted, precinct to vote on each municipality, its address, map, number of transportation means moving in the route of the precinct, monthly reports on elections and other informaation are located.
In order to convey the voters turnout on the voting day and voting results to the CEC through the State Automated Information System, special program supply was prepared, specialists were trained on the rules for using them and tested many times.
To conduct free, fair elections, CEC took necessary steps and regularly informed the publicity on election process.
Reports of CEC in azerbaijani and english languages are located on web page of the Commission and addressed to local, international (foreign) bodies through e-mail.