Repeat Parliamentary Elections, 13 May 2006

In response to an invitation by the Government of Azerbaijan, ODIHR deployed a limited election observation mission to observe the 13 May 2006 partial repeat parliamentary elections. Out of a total number of 125 constituencies, repeat elections were held in 10 constituencies in which the results of the 6 November 2005 elections had been cancelled by the Central Election Commission and the Constitutional Court.

Headed by Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens of Germany, the mission included a six-member core team based in Baku, as well as seven long-term observers based in Ganja and Baku. In total, the mission consisted of 13 members from 13 OSCE participating States.

According the mission's report: "The overall OSCE/ODIHR assessment of the parliamentary elections is contained in its Final Report issued on 1 February 2006, to which this report is annexed. As stated in the Final Report, the process through which the election results were invalidated in ten constituencies was not transparent. While the partial repeat parliamentary elections reflected some improvements, such as an inclusive candidate registration, a largely unimpeded campaign, and increased opportunities for participation of domestic observers, the overall conduct of the process underscores the continuing need for electoral reform. There were several issues of continued concern, including the composition of election commissions, instances of interference by local authorities in the election process, de-registration of candidates, and the handling of complaints and appeals by election commissions and courts. While the OSCE/ODIHR LEOM did not observe the election day process systematically, it noted that voting was generally calm; however, the mission also noted irregularities especially during the conduct of the counting and tabulation. In a welcome development that increased transparency, the Central Election Commission posted preliminary results broken down by polling station on its website on the morning after election day."