"The government is not ready to hold free and democratic elections"

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Question: Who do you think is the source of rumors about a referendum and early parliamentary elections in the near future?

Answer: Issues related to the restoration of a proportional electoral system or the benefits of the transition to a mixed system have been repeatedly discussed earlier. Usually the importance of these systems is brought to the fore in countries with economies in transition, such as Azerbaijan. Because in a society that has gotten rid of totalitarian rule, autocracy leads to the strengthening of authoritarian and dictatorial regimes. For the first time among the countries of the South Caucasus, Georgia and then Armenia switched to a proportional system. At that time, this system was the subject of discussion in our political circles. Since the Electoral Code does not allow two elections on the same day, it is always said during discussions that a referendum will be held, after which the parliament will be dissolved and re-elected.

Question: In 2019, even before the parliament adopted a decision on self-dissolution and holding early parliamentary elections, rumors about this were circulating in society. Like today, these rumors were denied by many MPs. However, we became eyewitnesses that these rumors were confirmed. Do not you think that this time the government is spreading these rumors in order to find out about the mood in society?

Answer: Usually such ideas are disseminated by the state. This is done not only in order to feel the pulse of society, but also to observe the behavior of other interested persons in the echelons of power. Obviously, if the government goes to this, then many members of the old team will not be destined, as it was in the past. Changes in the central executive branch and early parliamentary elections left some of the different clans behind. Then we even witnessed local clashes, cases when pressure was exerted through the media and political groups. The authorities are also monitoring the situation, and they have more information than we do. Recently, about 10 MPs in the same context are trying to convince that the possibility of dissolving the parliament is nonsense and is being spread by an anti-Azerbaijani network. However, it does not even look like a coincidence. Neither in the country, nor on the part of international organizations, there were long, open appeals in this regard. And if so, then for what purpose did the deputies suddenly start making such statements?! Most likely, this kind of discussion is underway in the government that political groups do not like, which understand that in the next elections they will most likely remain on the sidelines.

Question: For many years, experts have come up with proposals to restore the proportional electoral system, but these proposals are ignored. What do you think, for what purpose is the restoration of the proportional electoral system being put on the agenda?

Answer: Quite right, over the years there have been different opinions about the benefits of a proportional electoral system and the need to restore it. Earlier, I mentioned that neighboring countries have already switched to this system. In the South Caucasus, only the presidential rule exists only in Azerbaijan. I think several factors influenced here. First, Azerbaijan has solved one of the biggest problems - to liberate its lands from occupation. Its prestige and weight in the region has grown. However, at the same time, the country has serious problems with democracy, elections, corruption and governance. Azerbaijan is among the countries with the lowest ratings in terms of human rights, media situation and civil society. In my opinion, being in the back ranks is already creating discomfort for the government. For these reasons, there may be a desire for change in one form or another. Therefore, I do not consider it accidental that, through different people, the issue of a radical solution to the problem of political prisoners, the restoration of civil society, and the creation of conditions for the activities of international organizations is on the agenda.

Question: Do you think that a referendum and early elections are needed now?

Answer: Elections are always necessary. I even consider it expedient to hold elections as often as possible before holding free and democratic elections in Azerbaijan and forming a representative parliament. In this case, even if the voter makes a mistake for the first time (which is inevitable), so that he does not have to wait another 5 years. Repeated elections can be held next year. Until, based on the real expression of the will of the people, the representation of the opposing political parties in parliament is not ensured. Political debate should take place in parliament. The power should not be able to pass laws that ensure political, group interests through parliament within 5-10 minutes. In addition, no external forces should dictate their will to the "monolithic" parliament.

The restoration of the proportional electoral system will contribute to the revival of political parties in the country and the restructuring of the political system.  Parliament will not be represented by random people, oligarchs who want to protect their business, someone's relatives. Party-designated persons, lawyers, economists, engineers, scientists, public and political figures will be represented. As it was in the elections before 2002, when we saw such people on the party lists.

Question: What will the creation of a new electoral system and the holding of elections change if the form of holding the elections does not change and if the elections are rigged?

Answer: This is the main problem. So far, we have been evaluating the problem from a theoretical point of view. However, in practice, everything is completely different. The authorities have been rigging elections for years in violation of local and international law. The election commission is clearly under government control. Despite the fact that there are more than 100 decisions of the European Court of Human Rights on these commissions, they continue to operate. The problem is whether the authorities are ready to hold free and democratic elections?! It seems to me that no. I do not expect democratic elections to be held soon. Perhaps some small steps will be taken. For example, violations in the electoral environment should be minimized; violations on election day should be eliminated, and so on. However, these will not change the results.

There is a misconception in our society that if democratic elections are held, any influential singer or radical can win the elections. There are several factors in international norms that determine a democratic election. If you remember, before the elections, a pre-election assessment mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights comes to the country. It examines the electoral environment and prepares an evaluation report. This assessment report can be viewed as an indicator of the country's readiness for elections. If the election law is unfair, political parties are not allowed to operate, there is no free media, civil society cannot function, there are political prisoners, people are persecuted not only for their political views, but also even for their status on social networks, then elections held in such country cannot be considered free, fair, equal and valid.

Question: What do you suggest? What steps need to be taken to hold free elections in the country, to form a parliament as a result of free, fair and transparent elections?

Answer: First, political will is needed. The authorities must admit that a long, unjust government, using the same “rules”, does not give good results. Such a government is acceptable in any country in the East or Asia. Our geographic location, our neighbors, historical past, international organizations that we represent, encourage us to become part of a civilized government. If the government shows political will, it will be possible to bring the legal framework in line with international standards and, as a result, hold free and fair elections. There are enough experts in this field, lawyers and electors in the country. There is only one small matter - the presence of the goodwill of the political power.

Kamran Mahmudov