OSCE Office starts information sessions on non-interference in the electoral process

BAKU, 20 September 2010 - A series of information sessions for the heads of executive powers and chairpersons of the constituency election commissions on non-interference in the electoral process organized by the OSCE Office in Baku in co-operation with the Presidential Administration and the Central Election Commission began today.

The sessions will outline the basic principles of democratic elections and the provisions on non-interference in Azerbaijan's Electoral Code, clarify the role of the executive authorities, and emphasize the independence and responsibilities of the election commissions. Information sessions will also be organized in Shirvan (21 September), Mingachevir (22 September) and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (24 September), well in advance of the 7 November parliamentary elections.

Ambassador Bilge Cankorel, the Head of the OSCE Office in Baku, in his opening remarks at today's session recalled the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights election observation mission's final report on the 15 October 2008 presidential elections, which noted that the "instances of interference in the election process by State and local authorities were fewer than in previous elections."

Cankorel added: "I hope another round of information sessions on non-interference in the electoral process will help us to achieve further progress."

The sessions will address in particular the interference of local executive authorities in the registration of candidates and the voting process that reportedly took place during the 2009 Municipal Elections.

All OSCE participating States have signed up to the Copenhagen Document of 1990, which outlines commitments in the field of elections, rule of law and other fundamental rights and freedoms. The sessions aim to support the country in fulfilling the commitment it has made as an OSCE participating State to "respect the right of citizens to seek political or public office, individually or as representatives of political parties or organizations, without discrimination," and "to ensure that neither administrative action and violence, nor intimidation bars the parties and the candidates from freely presenting their views."

The OSCE Office in Baku, the Presidential Administration and the Central Election Commission organized similar events before the 2008 Presidential Election, the 2009 Referendum and the 2009 Municipal Elections.