Azerbaijan – Parliamentary elections
04/11/2005 - 07/11/2005
At the invitation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Venice Commission representatives take part in the Observation Mission of the Parliamentary Assembly as legal experts. Their mandate is to advise the delegation on the legal aspects of the elections.
The Venice Commission welcomes the Presidential Decree of 25 October 2005 on the preparation of parliamentary elections on 6 November. The introduction of inking and the abolition of restrictions to all NGO's to observe the vote are a positive step which goes in line with the recommendations of the Final opinion on the amendments to the Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan of the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR adopted at the 64th plenary session of the Commission (Venice, 21 - 22 October 2005).
The Commission hopes that these changes as well as a number of other steps taken by the authorities during the last week will contribute to creating the conditions for a fair and democratic vote on Sunday notwithstanding the reduced time framework for their implementation. It firmly believes that Azerbaijan can meet its international obligations and commitments if the political will exists.
The Commission hopes that the remaining issues listed as problematic in the Final opinion will be subject to further co-operation with the authorities of the Azerbaijan Republic.