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Co-organized by the Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) and the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, a seminar on inquiries in connection with the upcoming parliamentary elections kicked off in Baku on Sep.3.
The seminar is meant for members of the expert groups operating under constituency commissions, and will last for three days.
CEC deputy chairman Natiq Mammadov said at the event that there are more than 5 million voters and 55 registered political parties in Azerbaijan.
“We can say with confidence that the election system in Azerbaijan can be considered successful in terms of allowing people to display their will. This is also confirmed by international organizations cooperating with Azerbaijan,” said Natiq Mammadov, adding that it’s necessary to cooperate with international organizations, especially the European Union, to achieve further development in the election system.
He also noted that the occupation of Azerbaijani lands is a major blow to the quality of the elections, and election experience.
“If the European Court of Human Rights makes a decision when the right of a single person is violated, then how about the large number of refugees and IDPs whose rights have already been violated? This matter cannot be overlooked either,” the CEC deputy chairman stressed.
Toralf Pilz, the charge d’affaires of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, outlined that democratic elections is one of the principles of democracy. “Therefore, the EU cooperates with Azerbaijan in this area within a variety of programmes. The CEC too has made a number of achievements in this area. Recommendations of international organizations are taken into consideration,” Toralf Pilz said.
Later on, election expert Sergei Kalchenko gave his presentation titled “Consideration by constituency commissions of applications on elections: A presentation on European standards and the law of the Republic of Azerbaijan”. The event was followed with speeches by other participants.
Apa.az
