Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CEC) conducted its session headed by Mr. Mazahir Panahov on October 7, 2009.

Firstly, the Commission considered the issue on the appointment of the following elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan. CEC Chairman who gave information on this issue stated that in our country municipalities have been functioning for more than 10 years and though these local self-management bodies are young institutions, they could achieve prosperous practice during short period of their functioning and effective co-efficient of their work is increasing year by year.

 

This year term of authority of the municipalities finishes and there caused ground to appoint following elections to these bodies. Pursuant to Election Code, elections shall be appointed at least 75 days prior to the voting day. 15682 members shall be elected to 1718 municipalities on the republic. Regretfully, the population of our regions under occupation would not be able to participate in these elections.

 

 Chairman stated that the Commission approved and published normative acts concerning increasing legal base related with the conduct of Municipal Elections and delivered them to lower election commissions. These documents were publicized via mass media and web site of CEC.

Later, CEC Chairman informed CEC Commissioners on the decision draft of appointing Municipal Elections. CEC decided to appoint following Municipal Elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan to December 23, 2009, Wednesday and the list of the municipalities where elections will be conducted shall be published.

Mr. Natig Mammadov, CEC Secretary reported on the approval of "Calendar Plan for the basic activities and measures on the preparation and conduct of Municipal Elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan”. The Commission adopted decision on the approval of Calendar Plan.

At the session of the Commission, current issues were also considered.At the session, representatives of OSCE Baku office, embassies of the USA and France, National Democracy Institute (the USA), International Foundation for Election Systems (the USA) and mass media also took part.