OSCE/ODIHR opens Election Observation Mission in Baku
BAKU, 8 September 2005 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has deployed an Election Observation Mission to observe the 6 November parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. The mission includes 43 election experts and long-term observers from 18 OSCE participating States, who will be joined by approximately 500 short-term observers shortly before election day.
"Important recommendations from previous observation missions have not been fully implemented. A qualitative leap forward in the conduct of elections is now absolutely necessary and possible," said Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens from Germany, who heads the mission.
The OSCE has observed a number of elections in Azerbaijan, including the 2003 presidential elections and the 2000-2001 parliamentary elections. ODIHR experts have also issued several opinions and reviews of election-related legislation of Azerbaijan, together with the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
Following the invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Election Observation Mission officially began work on 5 September. It will assess the entire election process in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections, as well as national legislation.
The Election Observation Mission will focus on the legislative framework and its implementation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, the election campaign and the media situation, the access of domestic observers, as well as the resolution of election-related disputes.
The ODIHR has requested the secondment of 500 short-term observers from OSCE participating states for election day itself. The short-term observers will be deployed in teams of two throughout Azerbaijan to monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results at all levels.
The Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Office in Baku, headed by Ambassador Maurizio Pavesi, operate separately under their specific mandates.