Baku / 26.12.19 / Turan: The OSCE / ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission in connection with the upcoming snap parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan released a report on its visit to the country on December 19-21.
The mission met with officials, representatives of political parties, civil society and the media.
The mission notes that there is no improvement in legislation based on previous OSCE / ODIHR recommendations regarding freedom of assembly and expression, the media, candidate registration, and the impartiality of the election administration.
Despite the fact that the formula for appointing members of election commissions is explained by the desire to guarantee the balance and impartiality of these structures, many mission interlocutors noted that in reality, election administrations vote in support of the ruling party.
The mission also indicates a difference in the number of voters according to the CEC and the State Statistical Committee of 2 million.
Many ODIHR interlocutors expressed serious doubts about the impartiality of the candidate registration process, in particular when verifying voters' signatures.
Several opposition parties and movements have announced that they will boycott the election.
Despite guaranteeing the Constitution of freedom of expression, defamation remains a criminal offense and this extends to the online sphere and punishes up to 2 years in prison.
The mission recommended that the OSCE / ODIHR deploy a monitoring mission of 30 long-term and 350 short-term observers. –1606D--
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