REPORT OF THE CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION
OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
February-August, 2008
www.msk.gov.az
www.cec.gov.az
www.infocenter.gov.az
Pursuant to Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the following Presidential Elections will be conducted in the country on October 15, 2008. While elections approach, Central Election Commission reinforces its activity much further. CEC implemented many activities during the latest 6 months of this year in the aim of the preparation of Presidential Elections, the conduct of which is planned in the republic.
February-March, 2008
Voter education connected with updating voter lists is continuing which has been commenced since January. To this aim TV clips of the promotional nature are broadcasted on TV and materials are published by the CEC. 5 TV channels answered to CEC appeal to join the promotional process. Many of the regional TV companies and about 25 local media operating in various parts of the republic joined this process. Information (address, contact phones) on constituency election commissions was also available in the regional media. This information has facilitated address the voters directly to the election commission which is located in their constituency in the desired case.
According to the Election Code, work with the voters’ lists was finalized by the precinct election commissions by February 5 and the lists were presented to the constituency election commissions. The constituency election commissions continued the updating work and from mid March started presenting the electronic voter lists to CEC “Elections” Information Centre.
Nearly 200 calls were made to a hotline # 115 opened to deal with s’ lists during February-March. Calls were mainly related to voters’ lists. CEC rapidly responded to these appeals and took appropriate actions. Questions of the citizens who called the hotline with various enquiries were also answered in detail. The voters who addressed via email posted on the website also received required information and appropriate actions were taken when needed.
The third stage of the educational program recommended to CEC in the Decree of the President of Republic of Azerbaijan “On Approval of National Plan of Actions for Protection of Human Rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan” which started from the beginning of February was finalized at the beginning of March. Implementation of the project in fields was based on the approved curriculum and specialized courses were conducted for members of the constituency election commissions. Heads of local judicial institutions and prosecutors’ offices, officers of the region executive powers and chairs of the constituency election commissions made speeches before the course participants. Members of the precinct election commissions of the election constituencies that cover the occupied regions were also involved in the courses conducted in the areas where the precincts are located. The courses were broadcasted by some TV channels and the public was informed about them.
The Constituency Election Commissions regularly provide the CEC with information on dynamics of increase of a number of voters in their constituencies. The CEC analysis the received information and reviews possible changes to be made to the borders of constituencies and precincts.
To inform the international community about the elections in Azerbaijan CEC closely cooperates with the representatives of the international and foreign institutions operating in the republic. So regular meetings are held with OSCE Baku office, IFES and some other organizations and exchange of opinions on the planned joint projects are conducted. CEC actively participates in work of the Project Coordination Group organized with initiative of the OSCE Baku office. Activities of the above-mentioned group are directed at prevention of conduct of similar projects at the same time and at study of partnership opportunities related to the programs, which will be implemented. During these meetings the international organizations are given information on the area and issues which are considered as priority by the CEC, possible partnership opportunities are discussed and exchange of opinions is conducted. A number of projects to be implemented with the international organizations are already at the development stage.
As 2008 is an election year the CEC intensified its relations with the mass media which were close anyway. The representatives of the mass media are invited to the CEC events and regularly receive the required information. With the aim to inform the public about the preparation and conduct of the elections press conferences, briefings were held, interviews were conducted and published in electronic information means operating in the republic and many bulletins, interviews and articles were published in the press. Press briefings and briefings included also M. Panahov’s monthly press conferences. During both press briefings the CEC chairman provided the media with comprehensive information and answered their questions. Apart from that, other representatives of the CEC also conducted briefings and meetings with the media.
April
Work on voter list is on process. The Central Election Commission has printed out the submitted voter lists and sent them back to the constituency election commissions (ConEC) for recheck. The constituency election commissions have already rechecked and updated the lists once more and submitted them back to the CEC. Currently, the Central Election Commission enters changes and corrections found out during the updating process into the single database of voters, and eliminates possible repetitions and errors examining them first. Updated voter lists are posted on CEC websites. The voters can check their names on voter lists through search system or using the lists for the precincts. Citizens having suffrage, who cannot find names on voter lists can contact the Central Election Commission’s hotline (115 or electronic hotline on website) for voters, as well as fill out the relevant form displayed on website and address it to the Central Election Commission. As statistics it is worth to say that about 80 appeals of different nature were received through the hotlines in April, and relevant actions have been taken due to the appeals.
The Central Election Commission intends to introduce alternative methods for voters to check their data. Discussions on this matter are being held with relevant institutions, and technical questions arisen were settled.
A broad voter education program through the mass media for encouraging voters to check their names on voter lists is being implemented. It is expected to extend this program and have it on till the elections. Public Service Announcement (PSA) “Check your name on voter list” developed by the Central Election Commission is being aired by different TV channels. Due to the construction works going on in the country, some voters changed their residence and their addresses changed which causes necessity to intensively work on the voter list. Taking into account this fact, the Central Election Commission regularly gets information on voter migration within the constituencies and analyzes this information, ensures inclusion of those voters in the list of precincts where they moved in. Increase of number of voters, voter migration or putting into maintenance the newly constructed blocks of apartments cause exceed of limitation for the number of voters per precinct established by legislation that results with change of borders of precincts or creation of new precincts. The Central Election Commission, analyzing this process thoroughly, resolves such problems in cooperation with relevant institutions.
One of the important objectives is to locate precincts in comfortable buildings with good conditions for the upcoming 2008 Presidential Elections. In this respect, the Central Election Commission together with local executive authorities identified building offered. The CEC is examines if these buildings fit convenience for voting and gives relevant recommendations to the constituency election commissions. This process had been ongoing for the following months, too.
Secretariat to assist the constituency election commission’s work was created within the constituency election commission, in conformity with the Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The secretaries that permanently function has 6 employees (including technical personnel) who are dealing with clerical work, finance, information provision, technical issues etc., and assists the commission to organize its activities. Persons nominated to take key positions at the secretariat have been interviewed by the Central Election Commission. They have been hired after they passed test on capacity.
During the month of April, some constituency election commissions moved to new administrative buildings or buildings they located were renovated. At the same time, equipment for the constituency election commissions was reconsidered and ConECs that needed additional equipment were provided with it. The Central Election Commission provides the constituency election commissions with samples of documents that assist them to administer their work and necessary legal information.
The Central Election Commission continues cooperation with international (foreign) institutions and meets with their representatives regularly, especially, with OSCE Baku Office and IFES. Some joint projects are planned to develop with abovementioned organizations. Projects related to the Presidential Elections are being developed and implemented with close cooperation with field representations of the international organizations.
On April 25, 2008, the Central Election Commission and OSCE Baku Office organized a joint seminar “Media in Elections.” 35 media outlets were invited to the event. The main objective of the seminar was to inform the media representatives that play critical role during the election campaign period about requirements of the election legislation and current international norms. International expert and members of the Central Election Commission spoke about election campaign during the Presidential Elections, transparency in activities of election commissions, Election Day and in general, role of media in elections etc. They also answered participants’ questions. Members of the CEC, officials of the Apparatus and representative of the international organizations attended the seminar.
The Central Election Commission prioritizes relationship with the media and tries to release the necessary information through the media representatives. In this respect, the CEC is implementing some activities. One of the components of the Central Election Commission’s public relations program is media briefings. The last briefing of the Chairman of the Central Election Commission for the media representatives was held on April 7. Representatives of key media outlets of the country were invited to that briefing. Mr. Mazahir Panahov, chairman of the Central Election Commission informed the journalists what have been done in detail and answered their questions.
Besides that, the Central Election Commission officials were invited to different TV channels (Public TV-April 10, ANS-April 18, Public TV-24 April) and were interviewed on different issues of public interest for news programs. Moreover, statements of the representatives of the Central Election Commission were distributed by news agencies and published on print outlets.
May
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. Campaign activities to encourage the voters to check their names on voter lists were held during the month of May. Additional TV clips and different voter education publications were developed to increase the voters’ interest towards the voter list and voter education and submitted to the publicity.
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 who visited the republic. 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 Apparatus 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.
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 gave great importance to cooperation with media and expanded 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.
June
Activity of Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CEC) during June of 2008 was aimed to solve several problems in the field of elections.
Amendments and appendices made to Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan were discussed and adopted in the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan in May. CEC thoroughly investigates amendments and appendices made to Election Code and conducts works directed to reflect improvements in instructions and other documents according to legislation. CEC also planned and implemented some activities for the education of Constituency Election Commissions (Con.ECs) related to amendments and appendices.
Regarding the execution of Order by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan “on the approval of National Activity Plan on the Protection of Human Rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan”, CEC conducted seminar-conference for the Con.EC chairmen on June 12, 2008. During the conference, steps put forward the elimination of the shortcomings revealed during the monitoring conducted with the aim of inspecting the activity of Con.ECs in 2006 and some impending duties were discussed. During the seminar-conference, Con.EC chairmen reported on their activities. International (foreign) organizations and representatives of mass media functioning in Azerbaijan were also invited to the activity.
According to Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, specification of voters’ lists on the republic was ended in May, these voters’ lists were checked through current information base belonging to the Ministry for Interior Affairs and the deficiencies allowed in the information of some voters were removed. The process is still being maintained. Moreover, hot lines of CEC also continue their function and relevant activities are taken through the operative consideration of the received appeals (115 or electron hot line on the web-page).
Since 2003, information on the Con.ECs has been located on the CEC web page. During last year, amendments were made to the addresses of the Con.ECs at the result of settling them in new administrative buildings, so that CEC renewed this information on the web page. On the CEC web page, composition of the Con.EC and PECs, their addresses (scheme maps in cities and information about the public transportation means moving in this direction), territories (boundaries) of the constituencies, voters’ lists and some other statistical data, CEC decisions, press releases and other necessary documents were located in order to ensure transparency.
Specified last version of the voters’ lists was also posted on the CEC web page and voters are ensured to prove their information via search system of voters. Wide-range propaganda program is conducted with the aim of educating voters relating to web page and search system. So, TV clip reflecting the information on the web page and inviting voters to check their information in the voters’ lists through web pages was prepared by CEC and was presented to TV channels functioning within the republic for broadcasting. Furthermore, CEC published campaign posters on the subject of “Do not forget to check your names in the voters’ lists” and “Web page of CEC” in addition to the information campaign related to the voters’ lists, submitted them to the Con.ECs and recommended to hang them in densely settled areas.
According to Article 35.3.1 of Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the number of the voters on the precincts should not exceed 1500. Increase dynamics of the voters in Azerbaijan led to raise this number in some precincts. In order to solve this issue, CEC puts forward necessary steps and investigates possibilities to add the voters exceeding the relevant number to other appropriate precincts located within these municipalities.
CEC attaches great importance to the cooperation with international (foreign) organizations and often holds meetings with the representatives of international publicity in different levels in the field of cooperation. During June, CEC Chairman met with the delegation headed by Mr. Peter Semneby, special representative on South Caucasus of the European Union, delegation of OSCE/ODIHR, Ambassador of the USA to Azerbaijan and representatives of other international organizations. During meetings, guests were thoroughly informed about the activity of the CEC and some issues causing mutual interests were discussed.
CEC continued its cooperation with mass media during June and regularly informed publicity of the country about the activity of the Commission. Before the seminar-conference conducted for the Con.EC chairmen on June 12, 2008, CEC Chairman replied to the questions of the representatives of mass media. CEC representative participated in round table organized in Public TV on June 11, 2008. Moreover, CEC officials gave interviews to the TV channels functioning in the republic, press releases were disseminated by the commission, nearly 50 interviews, elucidations and informational materials provided by CEC representatives were published in press.
By using all these above-mentioned means, CEC attempted to clarify the issues interesting the publicity of the country and put forward the steps in the direction of educating the voters about elections.
July
Education of the persons participating in elections is one of the fields of great importance to the CEC. For close familiarization with the requirements of Election Code by the participants in electoral process, many projects have been implemented. Cooperation was realized with international organizations in this field.
One of these projects was sessions on the topic “Interference in electoral process” conducted by the CEC jointly with Executive Apparatus of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and OSCE Baku office. In the framework of the projects, 4 sessions were considered to be conducted during July so that two of them were implemented in Baku (July 9-10), one in Ganja (July 11) and one in Shirvan was conducted (July 14).
At the activity, representatives of Presidential Executive Apparatus, OSCE Baku office, international experts, heads of executive authorities in the regions of the republic and chairmen of Constituency Election Commissions. The goal of the activity was requirements of Election Code and other relevant legislation, specially, provisions on interference in elections, as well as roles and duties of local executive authorities and lower election commissions. During sessions many issues were clarified and prohibition of illegal interference in electoral process was discussed. Furthermore, during the activity they made speeches on the persons participating in electoral process, international election standards.
Since 2003 one of the education projects by CEC has been the conduct of trainings held for Precinct Election Commissions. This year the project has been increased further and it was offered to conduct trainings in a new format. So, trainings were conducted by the group consisting of 15 trainers of the CEC in previous elections. Since this year, secretariats of Constituency Election Commissions were established so that it caused the possibility of training specialists acting in these secretariats and later the conduct of trainings by themselves for lower election commissions. In this aim, two specialists from each constituency were assigned and were on official trip to Baku in order to participate in trainings by trainers. CEC has cooperated with Venice Commission of European Council in the preparation of trainings for several years. Training of trainers this year was also conducted under the cooperation with Venice Commission. Since July 15 till July 18 training of trainers was conducted in Baku. At the activity conducted in two groups each of them consisting of 125 persons, experts of Venice Commission and specialized trainers of the CEC made reports before the participants on the roles and duties of Precinct Election Commissions on the Election Day, transparency in the activity of commissions, election day procedures, determination of voting results and rules for arranging trainings, later concrete procedures during practical courses in the form of small groups were explained about. At the end of trainings, the participants replied to test questions about election procedures.
CEC continues its education programs for the secretariats of Constituency Election Commissions that began to function since January of 2008 to be able to professionally cope with their works in all spheres. In the aim of performing clerical works that are a part of the Con.EC activity pursuant to relevant rules, trainings were organized for the Con.EC officials responsible to this sphere since July 22 up to July 24. During the training, the participants were comprehensively informed about the provisions of Instruction “on the conduct of clerical works in state authorities, offices, organizations and institutes”, as well as, decisions of election commissions and compliance of session minutes and document samples used in practice were displayed. At the end of the training, practical courses were conducted for the participants to follow procedures closely and the questions interesting to the Con.EC representatives were replied. Trainings aimed to increase professionalism in the field of conducting clerical works.
Another training implemented by the CEC was meant for computer specialists acting at the Con.EC secretariats. During trainings conducted in small groups since July 1 up to July 25, specialists were informed on the Automated Information System, current information conveyance network, program software used related to elections and many other issues, it was examined via practical courses how they comprehended this information.
CEC investigates supply of the Con.EC related to the preparation of the forthcoming Presidential Elections and puts steps forward the elimination of shortcomings. According to the applies on supply, needs were considered related to portable and importable ballot boxes of some Con.ECs, ultraviolet lamps for checking voters’ fingers and other equipment and relevant activities were taken. In the direction of solving providence of Con.ECs with necessary technical equipment, works have being conducted. It should be noted as well that the computers provided to the Con.ECs were installed with necessary information conveyance programs, too and are ready to be used.
As Presidential Elections approach, CEC more often conducts sessions. During July Commission conducted 3 sessions. During session dated on July 28, 2008 the Commission declared the conduct of Presidential Elections on October 15, 2008. As well as, in July CEC approved 20 instructions, rules, comments on the nomination of candidacy to presidency in Presidential Elections of the Republic of Azerbaijan, checking the accuracy of the information included in signature sheets, as well as in the documents submitted by candidates, status of agents in elections (referendum), status of the authorized representatives of the candidate and political parties, conducting local observation, activity of international (foreign) observers, rules for conducting pre-election campaign in mass media and Press Group under Commission on control upon it and many other election issues, as well as Calendar Plan for basic activities and measures on the preparation and conduct of the forthcoming Presidential elections. According to the tradition formed since 2000, representatives of international (foreign) organizations and mass media were also invited to the sessions and they participated.
Specification of voters’ lists was continued during July, too, Con.EC regularly obtained information on the shift of voters’ places from relevant organizations and CEC was informed on this. Hot lines of the CEC received 1275 applies during this month as in previous months. Hot line # 115 functioning related to only voters’ lists till July became general hot line for elections and was automated via intellectual platform. Works implemented in this direction have been continued.
Works on the supply of Con.ECs with legal-methodical means were conducted incessantly. So, Election Code and instructions, rules, comments adopted by the CEC were published in two volumes as booklets and distributed one-by one to each Con.EC and PEC member. At the present, guidelines are prepared in the aim of education for members of lower election commissions, observers, agents of candidates and other participants of election process.
CEC activity was wholly open to mass media during July, too and country people were regularly informed on the activity of the Commission. CEC Chairman conducts regular briefings for mass media. During July 4 briefings were conducted, during these briefings he informed media representatives on the activity of the CEC and replied to the questions interesting to them. During July CEC representatives gave nearly 20 interviews on different topics for TV channels and published more than 40 interviews, explanations and informational materials in mass media. Furthermore, mass media representatives participated in all activities and sessions conducted during the month and press releases on these activities were disseminated. Cooperation with mass media in informing country people on Presidential Elections on October 15, 2008 is one of the issues of great interest to the CEC.
As before, in July observations and analysis related to changing the number of voters on constituencies and precincts were also conducted. In July the number of voters in precincts was followed and when this number exceeded the required number limit, then changes were made within the borders of the precinct or new precinct was established by putting relevant steps. Relevant information on this is posted on web page of Commission and has been renewed regularly.
August
August is more considerable for wide-ranging and intensive activity of the CEC.
CEC held 8 sessions within a month after the declaration of Presidential Elections of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 51 decisions and 9 recent legal-normative acts were adopted by the Commission after being expertized and relevant amendments were made in several other documents.
Commission implemented the activities implied for August by Calendar Plan for basic activities and measures on the preparation and conduct of the forthcoming Presidential Elections.
Pursuant to Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Working Group consisting of the specialists of relevant bodies was established in order to check the accuracy of the information included in signature sheets and documents attached to them by candidates and Expert Group consisting of 9 members was formed on the investigation of applies and complaints in August.
After the declaration of elections, political parties nominated 16 candidates, voters’ initiative groups nominated a candidate and 13 citizens were nominated on their own initiatives.
New Azerbaijani Party nominated the candidacy of Mr. Ilham Aliyev, signatures were collected at the necessary number and submitted to the CEC together with other documents and his candidacy was registered on August 16, 2008. After checking submitted signatures and documents, candidacy of Mr. Igbal Aghazade, nominated by “Umid” Party was registered on August 30, 2008.
During this time, authorized representatives appointed by political parties and candidates were registered by the CEC and provided with relevant badges. 115 citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan applied for specific permissions on conducting observation within the whole republic and following sessions held by election commissions were accredited as well and they were provided with cards for an observer.
Furthermore, CEC also conducted various trainings, seminars and conferences related to the education.
Professional dealing with the works by the participants during elections is one of the most important elements causing refinement of the process. By taking this into account, CEC realized many projects with the aim of education. In August such activities were also continued.
One of the essential projects implemented by CEC related to election since 2002 is training program held for Constituency and Precinct Election Commissions (Con.ECs and PECs). Unlike previous years, this year CEC together with the Council of Europe trained two trainers for each constituency, instructed them about the voting process, procedures related to this, skills of presentation and some necessary issues. CEC Training Group prepared relevant project for Con.EC s and PECs on constituencies. In conformity with the project, CEC Training Group prepared special supplementary slides reflecting necessary information for training of members of lower election commissions and submitted them in discs to training groups on constituencies. Since August 14, members of CEC Training Group were deployed to regions. In August 15-16, they conducted trainings for members of training groups on constituencies and instructed them about the training program to be realized by them, themes on this and other issues. According to the tabulation submitted by CEC Training Group, training groups on constituencies initiated training in the form of small groups of lower election commissions by using visual aids since August 17 and this process lasted till August 30. In the frame of trainings, members of lower election commissions were thoroughly informed on election process. Members of CEC Training Group joined the training process without having informed beforehand in different regions for which they are responsible, observed performance of the process and recommended domestic trainers when needed. However, during this training, each PEC member was submitted “Guideline for Election Day” booklet, samples of protocol on the voting results and samples of other documents. Generally, more than 26000 commissioners and officials of Con.EC Secretariat took part in these trainings.
Training on “Consideration of applies and complains” which is the integral part of education project implemented in the aim of preparation of elections was realized in Baku on August 21-22 and 25-26. In this training held jointly by CEC and Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), representatives of 125 Con.ECs responsible for considering applies and complains took part. At the training, experts of CEC, Venice Commission and IFES gave detailed information to the participants on CEC instruction on the consideration of applies and complains, composition and activity of Expert Group established at Con.ECs in this aim, international practice on methods and strategies of considering applies and complains, decision samples and their substantiation and cases encountered during practical courses and measures to be taken were discussed. At the activity, representatives of international and non-government organizations also took part.
In August, CEC continued its close cooperation with international organizations. So, CEC held more than 10 meetings with delegations of international organizations visited republic during August, foreign (international) institutions in Baku and representatives of embassies, foreign mass media. During these meetings, visitors were informed about the preparation of elections and pre-election atmosphere, views were changed on the issues of mutual interest. However, according the formed tradition, representatives of international (foreign) organizations were invited to CEC sessions, and they took part.
CEC representatives participated in the international conference held on the theme “Azerbaijanis and Americans: How we see each other”, organized by Azerbaijan Diplomacy Academy on August 13. At this activity held with the aim of making close acquaintance of these two publicities and getting information on the ongoing processes there, interesting views were changed on election process of both two countries. The conference joined by representatives of Azerbaijani government, influential mass media of the USA and Azerbaijan and domestic NGOs was very efficient.
Another activity participated by CEC representatives was conference on the topic “Media and elections: Democratic obligation of Media” organized by Azerbaijan office of the Council of Europe on August 26. At the conference joined by the representatives of media, many interesting discussions were held.
In August 26, CEC representative also took part in round table held on the theme “opinions and suggestions on the recommendations by Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and OSCE/ODIHR related to the appendices and amendments made to Election Code”, organized by Joint Working Group on Realization of International Standards for Human Rights in Azerbaijan.
Many activities were taken in the aim of arrangement of elections in conformity with Election Code and CEC instructions.
Pursuant to Article 112.1 of Election Code and relevant instruction adopted by CEC, Expert Groups consisting of 3 persons were established in each constituency for investigating applies and complains concerning violation of citizens’ suffrage.
Like in previous months, increase dynamics of voters was looked through and according to Article 35.3.1 of Election Code, 166 new precincts were formed in 65 constituencies having precincts where the number of voters exceeds 1500. Information provided by the voters included in voters’ lists on newly established precincts were included in data base of voters, their addresses and other information were located on web page of CEC.
CEC discussed the issue on formation of lower election commissions in full composition and according to procedure rules implied by Election Code, appointment of members to vacant seats at Con.ECs was initiated.
Technical supply of Con.ECs and PECs was also considered once more. Con.ECs were provided with projectors, screens and other necessary equipment for use during arrangement of trainings and other education courses for PEC members. Needs of PECs were also examined, suitability of ballot boxes, voting rooms and other election equipment was checked and relevant measures were taken in altering the spoilt equipment with new ones.
During August election-related education of voters and agitation for the voting has been under attention.
Participation of CEC officials or Con.EC members in the meetings with the voters to vote for the first time, held by the Ministry for the Youth and Sport was ensured. During these meetings, voters were comprehensively informed about the voting procedure and exclusive cases that are allowable.
CEC published posters which invite voters to participate in elections, call for looking for their names in the voters’ lists, inform about the web page of CEC and Calendar Plan for the preparation and conduct of the forthcoming Presidential Elections in large format (A1), submitted them to Con.ECs and in their turn, Con.ECs demonstrated these materials in densely populated areas and PECs.
The role of legal-methodical means is essential in education of the members of lower election commissions. By considering all these, CEC publishes the adopted instructions, comments and rules in the form of booklets. In August, 6 volumes of these booklets, Calendar Plan and booklet “Guideline for Election Day’ were published and a copy for each Con.EC and PEC member, as well as supplementary copies for preserving in information board of the constituency and precinct were distributed.
Specification of voters’ lists has been continued during August. Intensive campaign was lasted in electron mass media for voters to check their names in the lists. Con.ECs made necessary amendments in the voters’ lists due to the actions of voters on the constituency under the cooperation with local organizations in regions and regularly informed CEC on this. On August 12, Mr. Mazahir Panahov, addressed via mass media to the heads of offices, institutions, organizations, firms and other bodies functioning in the country and recommended them to ensure their officials to check their names in the voters’ lists.
Online hot line # 115 received nearly 1800 election-related applies during August, so that 1604 of them were identified as grounded and relevant measures were taken.
While elections approach, education of the publicity causes more importance to CEC. By considering this, CEC cooperated with mass media during August, too and regularly informed them on the preparation of elections. In the aim of ensuring transparency in the activity of the Commission, CEC sessions were open to mass media and they were informed on the time of sessions beforehand.
More than 35 speeches, interviews and comments on different topics by CEC commissioners and officials were elucidated in electron mass media. Like in previous months, on August 21 CEC Chairman conducted briefing for the representatives of mass media. At the briefing, Chairman reported on the latest activities implemented by CEC, actions performed in the direction of preparation of elections and replied to the questions of great interest to journalists.
Broad information about CEC activity was provided in the press, press releases, comments and articles on sessions, organized activities were published. As well as, decisions and normative acts adopted by the Commission pursuant to Election Code were published in official press body “Azerbaijan” newspaper. Nearly 400 materials related to CEC activity were published in newspapers. Furthermore, CEC representative participated in “Exo –Forum” organized by “Exo” paper and replied to the questions asked via internet. Cooperation in the direction of voter education related to Presidential Elections dated on October 15, 2008 is ongoing.
Information on the approval and registration process of candidates which lasted during August, CEC decisions, normative-legal acts, Calendar Plan, document samples and press releases related to the activity were operatively located on the web page in Azerbaijani and English languages. As well as, photos of new administrative buildings of Con.ECs and amendments made in the composition of the commissions were also located on the page. Voters direct their applies, suggestions and opinions to the CEC via e-mail on the web page.
CEC continues its activity under conditions of free, just conduct of elections, increase of professionalism of lower election commissioners, specification of voters’ lists, transparency in the work of the Commission, election-related education of publicity, cooperation with international organizations and in the direction of all these mentioned.
CEC reports in Azerbaijani, English and Russian are located on the web page of the Commission and directed to domestic and international (foreign) organizations via e-mail every month.
