The Ombudsman Office and Central Election Commission held a round table on early parliamentary elections

The Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan and the Central Election Commission (CEC) held a round table titled “Ensuring the right of citizens to vote” in relation to the early parliamentary elections. The employees of both institutions, as well as media outlets, took part in discussions.  

In his welcome speech, Mr. Mazahir Panahov, the Chairman of the Central Election Committee, underlined the importance of large-scale public awareness events organized jointly with state agencies, aimed at ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections of voters. The measures taken to further improve the election legislation and practice were outlined too. The necessary conditions for parliamentary elections, based on the legislation and in full compliance with international and high standards were created, he said.  

While underlining the duties of media subjects during the election process, the Chairman briefed the comprehensive conditions established for local and international observers during the elections.   

Ms. Sabina Aliyeva, the Ombudsperson, informed the participants about the planned joint public awareness events aimed at increasing the knowledge of voters to better ensure their rights and extensively improving the electoral system. She added that the calendar of future events to be held ahead of the parliamentary elections in cooperation with the CEC has already been approved and appropriate measures for their implementation have been brought to the attention of participants.    

The Ombudsman stated that the conduct of the elections in accordance with the Election Code once again confirms our country's commitment to the principles of building a legal and democratic state, ensuring human rights and freedoms, and developing national legislation. 

Additionally, it was noted that, based on the positive experiences of previous years, the Ombudsman, along with the staff of her Office and regional centers, will independently observe the early parliamentary elections both in Baku and in all districts of the country, acting as observers on their own initiative. 

Ms. S. Aliyeva also provided her recommendations on how to ensure electoral rights more effectively, based on the experience of the Ombudsman Institution from previous elections.

Afterwards, Mr. Ilkin Shahbazov, a member of the Commission, made a presentation on 'Constitutional and Legislative Opportunities for the Effective Protection of Electoral Rights.' He stated that the existing election legislation in our country and the purposeful steps taken to conduct elections at a high level create conditions for voters to freely and independently exercise their constitutional rights.

Mr. Aydın Safikhanli, Head of the Ombudsman Office, during his speech on 'The Importance of the Observation Institution and the Role of the Ombudsman in this Process,' underscored the significance of observation institutions in the election process. He stated that the observation institution contributes to the protection of citizens' right to vote, addresses potential shortcomings during the election process, and creates an environment of openness and transparency. The head of the Office, spoke about the experience of the Ombudsman Institution as an observer, too.