OSCE/ODIHR mission: Partial repeat parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan underscore continuing need for electoral reform
WARSAW/BAKU, 15 May 2006 - The partial repeat parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan on 13 May reflected improvement in some aspects of the process, but there is a need for ongoing electoral reform, according to the findings by a Limited Election Observation Mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, ODIHR.
The OSCE/ODIHR mission followed the 10 parliamentary constituencies where repeat elections were held. The mission, headed by Ambassador Geert Ahrens, was established on 20 April and comprised six election experts and seven long-term observers. Following the comprehensive OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission to the 6 November 2005 parliamentary elections, the Limited Mission focused on observation of the campaign environment, the work of the election administration and the functioning of the complaints and appeals procedure.
On election day, the OSCE/ODIHR mission did not deploy additional short-term observers. The mission observed voting procedures and the counting of the votes in a limited number of polling stations. The mission also observed the tabulation of results in six constituencies. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly sent a small delegation, headed by Mr. Joao Soares, to observe on election day.
The OSCE/ODIHR mission found that the repeat election process reflected some improvements, such as an inclusive candidate registration, a largely unimpeded campaign and increased opportunities for participation of domestic observers. However, it also noted several issues of concern, including the composition of election commissions, instances of interference by local authorities in the election process and the handling of complaints and appeals by election commissions and courts.
The mission noted a number of irregularities in the conduct of the voting, counting and tabulation processes; however, in a welcome step toward increased transparency, the Central Election Commission posted result protocols by polling stations on its website on the morning after the election.
The overall OSCE/ODIHR assessment of the November elections in 125 parliamentary constituencies is contained in its Final Report issued on 1 February 2006. The Final Report concluded that the parliamentary elections did not meet a number of OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections. The report offers a number of recommendations for improving the conduct of elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The findings on the limited observation of the partial repeat elections will be included in an annex to the OSCE/ODIHR Final Report, to be issued approximately four weeks after the conclusion of the election process. The OSCE/ODIHR remains ready to support the efforts of the authorities and civil society of Azerbaijan to conduct elections in line with OSCE commitments and to continue to co-operate with them, especially with regard to the recommendations in the Final Report.