OSCE/ODIHR deploys observers to monitor presidential election in Azerbaijan
(OSCE/Ulvi Akhundlu)Scene from the political campaign for the 15 October presidential election in Azerbaijan. (OSCE/Ulvi Akhundlu) Photo details
BAKU, 11 September 2003 - The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has begun its Election Observation Mission to monitor the presidential election in the Republic of Azerbaijan, scheduled for 15 October, with the deployment of 30 international election experts from 18 OSCE participating States. The experts are based at Mission headquarters in Baku and in regions throughout the country.
At the invitation of the Azeri Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Observation Mission will monitor the election campaign, including the media, the legal framework, the work of the election administration, and the resolution of election disputes. The Mission will also assess the election process against national legislation and international election commitments agreed to by all OSCE participating States.
"This election is a critical test for democracy in Azerbaijan", said Peter Eicher, Head of the Observation Mission. "Azerbaijan deserves a free and fair election. We are counting on the authorities to deliver one."
The ODIHR intends to deploy some 500 short-term observers throughout the country shortly before election day, who, together with parliamentarians from the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, will monitor voting, counting of ballots, and vote tabulation.
On the day after the election, the Observation Mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A comprehensive final report will be released one month after the completion of the election process.
The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Office in Baku operate separately under their specific mandates.
At the invitation of the Azeri Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Observation Mission will monitor the election campaign, including the media, the legal framework, the work of the election administration, and the resolution of election disputes. The Mission will also assess the election process against national legislation and international election commitments agreed to by all OSCE participating States.
"This election is a critical test for democracy in Azerbaijan", said Peter Eicher, Head of the Observation Mission. "Azerbaijan deserves a free and fair election. We are counting on the authorities to deliver one."
The ODIHR intends to deploy some 500 short-term observers throughout the country shortly before election day, who, together with parliamentarians from the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, will monitor voting, counting of ballots, and vote tabulation.
On the day after the election, the Observation Mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A comprehensive final report will be released one month after the completion of the election process.
The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Office in Baku operate separately under their specific mandates.