Educational projects for the election stakeholders with different status regarding the early Elections to the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, appointed to September 1, 2024 have been carried out in a subsequent, intensive and systematic way since the official start of the elections.

The following project within a large-scale program - seminar was held with the joint organization of the Central Election Commission, Media Development Agency, Audio-visual Council and Press Council at “Hyatt Regency Baku” hotel on August 8, 2024. The event was dedicated to equal pre-election campaign opportunities and the basics of media outlets’ activities in elections.

The seminar started with the introductory speech by Mr. Mazahir Panahov, CEC Chairman and Mr. Ahmad Ismayilov, the Executive Director of the Media Development Agency, Mr. Ismat Sattarov, Chair of the Audio-visual Council and Mr. Rashad Majid, Chair of the Press Council. During the presentations, impossibility of imagining elections without media, free and independent participation of media in elections, thereby contributing to the public awareness-raising was emphasized. It was also informed that the legislation had determined not only rights, but also duties and obligations for the media outlets in ensuring openness and transparency in the election process in the period of pre-election campaign, also while fulfilling their duties on the voting day. Therefore, the requirements of the Election Code and relevant legislation shall be strictly abided by.

Following the introductory speeches, CEC members made speech on the common requirements for pre-election campaign, their rights and duties in the Elections to the Milli Majlis, roles and duties of media outlets in the pre-election campaign conducted on paid and free basis.

During the event held with the participation of the heads and representative of media outlets, a broad information was provided on publicising the election process, ensuring transparency and openness, as well as, organization of professional media activity on different phases of the election process, views and discussions on different issues were held.

The seminar targeted at further improvement of independent activity and awareness-raising of media outlets in the Elections to the Milli Majlis was finalized with the clarification of the questions interesting to journalists.