The Central Election Commission (CEC) conducted the following session chaired by Mr. Mazahir Panahov on October 18, 2019.

Firstly, the issue on the appointment of the next Municipal Elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan was considered at the Commission session.

CEC Chairman informed that the term of office of municipalities is over. Therefore, pursuant to the Election Code, Municipal Elections shall be appointed at least 60 days earlier. 15156 members shall be elected to 1606 municipalities on the country in these elections. The Municipal Elections will cover in general, 118 election constituencies excluding 7 election constituencies under occupation.

After the CEC members have been made familiar of the draft decision on the appointment of the elections, a decision was adopted on the appointment of the next Municipal Elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan to December 23, 2019.

Later, the "Calendar Plan for basic activities and measures on the preparation and conduct of the Municipal Elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan” was discussed and approved.

Mrs. Arifa Mukhtarova, CEC Secretary reported on the issue of establishing Expert Group under CEC to investigate the complaints against the actions (inactions) and decisions violating citizens’ election rights. Expert Group was established under CEC, consisting of 9 persons including the Commission members and Secretariat employees.

The Expert Group included CEC members – Ramiz Ibrahimov, Valida Kazimova, Tofig Hasanov, Ilkin Shahbazov, Gabil Orujov, Bakhsheyish Asgarov, Ilham Mammadov, and employees of the Commission Secretariat Rafig Abbasov and Naila Asgarova. And Constituency Election Commissions were commissioned with the establishment of Expert Groups under Con.ECs, consisting of 3 persons meeting with relevant standards not later than the timeframe defined in the legislation.

Considering the supposition and necessity of re-considering the issue on the registration of the candidacy in the Municipal Elections to be held on December 23, 2019 at CEC, Working Group was established at the session, consisting of the experts of relevant state bodies and a member of the Commission was appointed head of the Group to check the accuracy of the signatures in signature sheets and information included in the attached documents submitted.

Current issues were also considered at the Commission session.

The representatives of international organizations, also mass media took part at the session.

AZERTAC