Azerbaijan referendum fails credibility test

BAKU, 26 August 2002 - The OSCE Office in Baku feels it appropriate to echo concerns expressed by observers of the Referendum, held in the Republic of Azerbaijan on Saturday, 24 August.

Whilst the Office was unable to participate in observing the balloting directly, it is clear that several parts of the referendum process give cause for concern. The Referendum Law appears in some parts inadequate to provide the best basis for its purpose and is at odds with the country's Electoral Law, in particular regarding participation of observers. It does not allow for the participation of journalists as observers and does not specifically include non-governmental organizations in that role. Interpretation of the Law by the CEC seems to have been more according to the letter, rather than the spirit of the Law, and thus created obstacles to wider observation and transparency of the process. It is unfortunate that the Law requires a quorum of electorate participation, as this is perceived both as encouraging a boycott of the referendum - as a tool by those opposed to it - and as accusations of forced participation by those in favour.

Accusations and reports of irregularities in the voting process have been numerous and have emanated from the voting population and the whole range of observers. Reports have included ballot stuffing, overt police presence and pressure on voters, multiple voting, use of supplementary voter lists and other forms of ballot rigging. Such reports are too numerous - and from such a wide variety of usually reliable, apolitical sources - to be ignored or dismissed.

It is the belief of the OSCE Office in Baku, therefore, that the process fell short of providing a credible and reliable means of eliciting the views of the population on the issues of the referendum.