REPORT OF THE CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION
OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

May, 2008

www.msk.gov.az
www.cec.gov.az
www.infocenter.gov.az

 

---

During May 2008, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan focused on implementation of election related activities.

The voter list on national level shall be updated from January till May annually, in conformity with the Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This process, as established by the legislation, started in January and was completed in May. On May 27, the Central Election Commission held a meeting regarding the voter lists, and the process of updating the voter lists was officially finalized. Since the process is officially finalized, the Central Election Commission recommended the Constituency Election Commissions (ConEC) not to stop the work on voter lists. Hotlines (115 and electronic hotline on website) for requests on voter lists issues are continuing to function as well.          

The Central Election Commission closely cooperates with the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the process of updating the voter lists. Citizens’ database maintained by the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been crosschecked with the voter list and it contributed to ensuring the more accurate voter lists.

A copy of the voter list updated during this period is maintained by the Constituency Election Commission, another copy is kept by the Central Election Commission. The updated latest copy of the voter list is displayed on the website of the Central Election Commission.

The Central Election Commission is conducting researching opportunities for voters to use all possible means to check their names on the voter lists. Discussions on this particular issue are being held with relevant institutions and technical questions that came up regarding this matter are being assessed. Some of these means for voters are anticipated to be put in operation.         

Campaign activities to encourage the voters to check their names on voter lists were held during the month of May. Additional PSAs to be aired on TV and different voter education publications were developed to increase the voters’ interest towards the checking names on voter list.    

According to the Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, voters that are living outside of country or those who are on long term business trip in other countries shall participate in Presidential Elections. Because the year of 2008 is the Presidential Elections year, the Central Election Commission is cooperating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to prepare list of voters living outside of country and to ensure their participation in voting.   

Amendments and changes to the Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan were submitted to the Milli Majlis for discussion in May. The Central Election Commission participated in those discussions and presented its proposals as well.

One of the main direction of activities of the Central Election Commission is to cooperate with international (foreign) organizations in the filed of elections. Regular meetings are held within the framework of this cooperation. One of such events in the month of May is a meeting between the head of the OSCE office in Baku and chairman of the CEC. Some important projects, as well as high level roundtable discussion with participation of TV channels to be conducted end of May were discussed during the meeting held on May 1. On May 26 the CEC Chairman met with NDI Eurasia Programs Director. Representative of NDI spoke about NDI’s pre-election projects, and a number of issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting. Another meeting was held on May 19 with co-rapporteurs on Azerbaijan of the Parliamentary Assembly Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe. The Chairman of the Central Election Commission provided the guests with detailed information about pre-election activities, discussed a number of issues and answered the guests questions. On May 31 the CEC Chairman met with the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Great Britain. The Chairmen exchanged ideas and discussed issues on further cooperation and exchange of experience.

One of the issues on the agenda of the Central Election Commission is to educate mass media on how to report the election related issues. In this regard, the CEC Chairman participated in the high level roundtable discussion on “Role of the electronic media in administration of democratic elections” organized by the OSCE office in Baku on May 30. The roundtable discussion brought together directors of the TV channels functioning in Azerbaijan and international experts on relevant area. During the discussions the CEC Chairman informed the participants about requirements to be observed by the TV channels during the election period, lessons learned from previous elections, and many other issues. He also answered questions of the participants. Many other issues of participants’ interest were discussed during the event, and international experts spoke about their organizations’ experience. At the end of the day, as a conclusion of the event, the CEC representative took part in live discussions organized on Public TV.       

Several events are being implemented for capacity building of staff working at secretariat of the Constituency Election Commissions. One of such events is training-seminar held for lawyers working at secretariat of the Constituency Election Commissions on May 31. CEC members, officials of the Apparat spoke about a number of topics like legal basis for activities of election commissions, clerical work at the secretariat of election commissions, handling complaints and appeals, and answered the participants’ questions. An expert of the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) shared an international experience on handling complaints and appeals.

In order to improve the work of the secretariat of the Constituency Election Commissions, the ConECs have been delivered documents developed by the CEC, including regulations on implementing clerical work, register book of decisions, register book of incoming and outgoing documents, register book for complaints and other documents of this type. 

Activities to improve the work conditions of the Constituency Election Commissions are the ongoing process. Construction of buildings for the Constituency Election Commissions were completed and handed over to the ConECs during May. There are ConECs located in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic among these constituencies. Five new ConEC buildings have been constructed and equipped with all necessary equipment, and put in operation despite the fact that Nakhchivan is under blockade for about 20 years and faces difficulties and challenges due to the block of all transportation roads by Armenia. Another two buildings for ConECs functioning in Nakhchivan will be completed soon.        

The Central Election Commission resolved several issues occurred due to the President’s May 7, 2008 orders regarding the rename and change of status of some towns and regions. 46 Ali Bayramli election constituency was renamed as 46 Shirvan, and 101 Khanlar-Dashkasan was renamed as 101 Goygol-Dashkasan election constituencies, in conformity with the changes mentioned in President’s decree. Some work has been done towards changes in delimitation of some constituencies.  

Utilization of newly constructed apartment blocks and process of registration of voters settled in these buildings were observed, and potential changes to the delimitation of constituencies due to the newly populated buildings were analyzed. This issue remained as a focus of attention.

The Central Election Commission gives great importance to cooperation with media and expands its relationship with media to ensure transparency of its activities. All meetings of the Central Election Commission are open to the media and they get information about the meetings in advance. Attending the meetings allows the media representatives to get immediate information about the work of commission. Apart from that, the CEC regularly distributes media advisory describing its activities, events and meetings. Monthly briefings of the CEC Chairman became a traditional event. On May 27, a briefing took place immediately after the commission’s meeting and the CEC Chairman informed the media about CEC activities implemented during the month and answered media representatives’ questions. On May 13, 20, 22, 27, 30, 31 the CEC Chairman gave interviews to news programs of TVs functioning in the country. Apart from that, the CEC representatives were interviewed on TVs. Also, the commission’s representatives wrote articles for different press outlets and gave regular information to the news agencies upon their questions of interest.