Azernews.Az

BAKU – An Azerbaijani presidential aide said Monday that executive officials and representatives of electoral commissions interfering with the forthcoming parliamentary elections will be punished.

Ali Hasanov, the head of the Presidential Administration socio-political department, told reporters that punitive action is envisaged in Azerbaijan’s Election Code, and the president has enacted a special order putting forth certain requirements before executive authorities to ensure a fair conduct of elections.

"This decree was issued during the previous parliamentary elections and remains in force," Hasanov said.

He also said that during election campaigns venues will be designated to allow election hopefuls to meet with their voters.

For several years, opposition parties have not been allowed to hold protests in the center of Baku.

"Certainly, a designated venue may not be desired by someone," Hasanov said. "But all candidates will be offered the same locations, which will provide for an environment of pre-election rivalry."

The presidential aide said the government aims to completely eliminate the shortfalls that were reported during the previous elections.

"Of course, various institutions and people are not insured against electoral process mistakes. But the main point is not to deliberately use administrative resources in favor of any given candidate."

Hasanov said further that the list of election hopefuls from the governing Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party (YAP) has been considerably renewed compared to the previous vote.

The list of YAP candidates, announced last Saturday, does not include 16 YAP members currently represented in the legislature.

Hasanov noted that the new list supports YAP representatives dealing with "youths, education, healthcare, science and other intellectual fields".

"But an election is a contest. Each party nominates its candidate, while the voters determine who wins," Hasanov said, wishing success to all parties, including YAP.

Parliamentary elections will be held by the majority of votes in 125 constituencies on November 7. Previous elections were held in 2005.