IDI: November 1 Elections Were Not Free, Fair or Democratic

The Institute of Democratic Initiative (IDI) issued its final statement on the results of the monitoring of the parlament elections.

IDI indicates irregularities in the opening of polling stations, and in preparation for the vote:

21.6% polling stations did not begin on time. In 56.7% of the sites ballots were not counted. In 39.8% of the sites invisible ink and ultraviolet lamps were not tested.

During the voting the following violations were recorded:

In 46.4% of the sites voters’ fingers were not tested with UV lamps.

30% of the voters, who refused of testing, entered the sites.

In 42.2% issuing ballots without signatures was fixed.

In 51.5% cases of one person voting for others were documented.

In 63.9% massive ballot box stuffing was recorded.

In 40.2% entrance of more than one person into the voting booths was fixed.

In 29.9% the police approached closer than 100 meters to the site.

In 18.5% police were seen in the sites.

When counting the votes in 85.6% of the stations the protocols were filled before opening the ballot boxes.

In 48.5% of the sites continuity of the vote count was disrupted.

In 18.6% the vote count was carried out of the voting room.

In 55.7% the vote counting was conducted without observers.

In 24.8% there were cases of substitution of ballots.

In 74.2% the counting was conducted in disagreement with the actual number of votes cast.

In 68.0% of the sites protocols were drawn up outside the voting room.

In 72.1% copies of the protocols were not given to observers.

In 90.8% of the sites copies of the protocols were not posted on the site.

In 15.5% the counting was conducted with the participation of unauthorized persons.

In 33.0% of the sites the commissioners were instructed by unauthorized persons.

The real voter turnout was 25.52%, which is twice less than the figure stated by CEC - 52.76%.

On the elections day there was also pressure on voters. Violations took place at all stages of the campaign, and especially the day of elections gives grounds to consider the elections on November 1 “not free, not fair, not democratic and not transparent.”

The elections were conducted without competition, there was no alternative and the voting did not reflect the real will of the Azerbaijani people.

Thus, the parliamentary elections did not meet local laws and international standards, the report said.

IDI considers it necessary to immediately investigate complaints about these violations, identify and punish those responsible, stop repression against civil and political activists and release political prisoners.

The authorities must have the will to improve the electoral code in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the OSCE ODIHR. -06D-