Azernews.Az

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) First Deputy Director, Douglas Wake, has said none of the elections held in Azerbaijan between 1998 and 2008 fully complied with all OSCE commitments.
"True, considerable progress has been achieved in the elections held in recent years. Both the latest presidential election and the local polls proceeded in a low-key environment. But there was no staunch competition during those elections," Wake claimed at a roundtable Thursday.
"The OSCE therefore wishes for this November’s parliament poll to fully comply with the conditions of democratic pluralism," the OSCE ODIHR official said.
Wake stressed the importance of Azerbaijan’s abiding by the ODIHR’s recommendations. He said that primarily, citizens’ right to assemble freely is to be ensured. Also, work should be done to eliminate unlawful interference with the electoral process and improve the vote count.
Stone Stritt, an OSCE ODIHR adviser, believes improvements should be made in electoral legislation regarding military officers’ participation in elections and the consideration of complaints. He emphasized that the Law on Freedom of Assembly adopted in Azerbaijan provides legal framework for conducting public protests. "But if the law remains on paper, it is of no importance."
The ODIHR adviser claimed that the measures taken in the country in the past five years could be considered "a step backwards", adding that the OSCE advises the Azerbaijani authorities to forge a broader dialog with political organizations and work to promote confidence building.*