The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CEC) conducted its session chaired by Mr.Mazahir PANAHOV on January 6, 2005.
At the session, the issue on the results of the Municipal Elections conducted in the Republic of Azerbaijan on December 17, 2004 was discussed.
Mentioning elections to 2731 municipalities in which 38 041 candidates were competing Chairman noted the above-mentioned elections to get held pursuant to the legislation and basic activities and measures to be implemented pursuant to the Calendar Plan. CEC Chairman stated that the principle of transparency was provided and necessary terms were ensured for domestic and foreign observers, as well as representatives of mass media for observation in elections and thanked them for the conduct of observation mission. At the same time, he also expressed his gratitude to the embassies of the USA, Great Britain, France and Norway in Baku and IFES for their assistance in elections.
Mr. Natig MAMMADOV, CEC Secretary reported on the issue of the agenda. Rendering into attention the fact of 2 109 267 persons out of 4 551 246 voters included in the voters lists, i.e. 46,34% from the total number of voters participated in the elections and in general, the elections within the Republic was valid and conducted pursuant to legislation, CEC Secretary introduced the draft decision on the results of the Municipal Elections conducted on December 17, 2004 to the commissioners.
Majority of the commissioners expressed their consent with the draft decision. Their common opinion was that in spite of some shortcomings and disadvantages in the activities of some chairpersons’ of Constituency Election Commissions (Con.ECs) and members of Precinct Election Commissions (PECs), the Municipal Elections were generally conducted normally and pursuant to the requirements of the Election Code. They stressed that conduct of elections in our country is a step towards the democracy.
CEC approved the decision on the general results of the Municipal Elections conducted on December 17, 2004. 13 commissioners voted in favor of the decision and 2 were against.
According to the decision by CEC, 21 471 persons were elected as members to municipalities. As the requirements of the Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan were violated, the voting results in 20 precincts were considered invalid by Con.ECs and voting results in 409 precincts were considered invalid by CEC. According to the requirement of Article 240.1.2., elections conducted in 135 municipalities were considered invalid. And as the rights of voters to participate in elections were violated in 50 precincts, the compositions of these elections commissions were dismissed. According to Article 25.2.22 of the Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, chairpersons of 9 Con.ECs were incompatible for their duties.
Representatives of the USA and France Embassies, IFES (International Foundation for Election Systems), domestic and foreign mass media also participated at the session.
