The Central Election Commission (CEC) conducted its session chaired by Mr. Mazahir Panahov on September 2, 2003.

After the approval of the agenda of session by commissioners, the minutes of session of CEC dated on July 21, 2003, July 25, 2003 and August 1, 2003 were approved.

Then Mr. Ingilab Nasirov, CEC Secretary reported on the registration of 50 agents appointed by the Modern Musavat Party. The Commission decided to settle this issue positively.

CEC adopted the relevant decision by considering the issue of making modifications in the composition of some Constituency Election Commissions (Con.ECs). 

Mr. Vidadi Mahmudov, CEC Secretary suggested to appeal to the court to deprive Mr. Hafiz Alamdar oghlu Hajiyev, registered candidate to presidency of his right to use airtime during pre-election campaign as he disseminated information offending and disgracing honor and dignity of other registered candidates to presidency. Commissioners did not approve this suggestion. CEC warned Mr. Hafiz Alamdar oghlu Hajiyev, candidate to presidency of not using expressions offending dignity and honor of other registered candidates to presidency in the future and sent the case to the State Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan to be investigated. 

Then the appeal of the New Azerbaijan Party related to taking measures for the dissemination of the information offending and disgracing honor and dignity of President Heydar Alirza oghlu Aliyev upon using airtime allocated on State TV on August 29, 2003 by Mr. Ali Amirhuseyn oghlu Karimli and Mr. Etibar Salidar oghlu Mammadov. It was decided to warn Mr. Etibar Salidar oghlu Mammadov and Mr. Ali Amirhuseyn oghlu Karimov of not allowing such cases in the future and to send the complaint to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan to take relevant measures by investigating the facts in the application. 

Then applications and complaints entered CEC were discussed. Three of the complaints were sent to the State Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan to be investigated.

The Commission discussed the current issues at the end and adopted relevant decisions. 

Representatives of IFES (International Foundation for Election Systems), OSCE/ODIHR, as well as representatives of domestic and foreign mass media participated in the session.