ODIHR recommends the country to locate the Election Observation Mission regarding the early parliament elections, sending 30 long-term, 350 short-term observers is recommended to the members of OSCE.
OSCE ODIHR has released its evaluation of the needs report regarding the February 9 early parliament elections.
The body states that it implemented the mission of evaluation of the needs from December 19 till December 21 with the invitation of the Azerbaijani government. The goal was to evaluate the environment before the elections and election preparation. ODIHR makes decisions regarding the activities in the upcoming elections based on this evaluation.
Have the recommendations been followed?
The body informs that no amendment has been made into the election legislation regarding the previous recommendations of ODIHR. This includes the provision of freedom of assembly, impartiality of the election administration, registration of the candidates, media environment, election day procedures, and the government has emphasized its loyalty to hold elections in accordance with openness, transparency and justice principals.
Interviewers of OSCE mission have expressed their concerns about the protection of the impartiality of the candidates in the registration process, especially verification of votes process. According to them, the fundamental freedom of assembly and freedom of speech has been restricted severely even though they are envisaged on the Constitution, people who express critical opinions about the government are systematically exposed to harassment and criminal persecution.
It is emphasized on the report that although the freedom of expression and media, and access to media are envisaged on the Constitution punishment for disinformation is still in power and this is already applied for online context as well. Television is the main source of political information, usage of social media and the internet in this regard is increasing.
ODIHR recommends the country to locate the Election Observation Mission regarding the early parliament elections, sending 30 long-term, 350 short-term observers is recommended to the members of OSCE.
Reminder
Deputies of the main New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) were advised to appeal for the dismissal of parliament at the meeting of NAP Political Council on November 28. That appeal has been prepared and sent. NAP Political Council has explained that the decision was made in order to support the reform course of President Ilham Aliyev.
The Milli Majlis has appealed to the president with a request to dissolve the parliament and to appoint the early parliament elections.
The President has sent a request to the Constitutional Court to ensure whether it was in line with the constitution.
The Plenum of the Constitutional Court has considered the dissolution of the Milli Majlis and holding the early elections in line with the constitution on December 4.
After a day the President has signed a decree to appoint the elections to February 9, 2020. The Parliamentary elections were actually supposed to be held in November, next year.
The National Council from the Opposition Forces has announced its decision to boycott these elections. The body considers that there is even no minimum environment to hold free and fair elections in Azerbaijan.
Officials and staff of the Central Election Commissions do not acknowledge these opinions.