Azernews.Az

The Council of Europe Venice Commission Secretary Janny Bukikkio has said changes were still needed for Azerbaijan`s newly-amended Election Code.
Commenting on recent amendments and addenda to election laws, Bukikkio said it was important to further improve the Code.
"These changes will probably be made in the future, but this can`t be done in the present conditions. A presidential election is coming up and there is basically no time to introduce relevant changes to the Election Code," Bukikkio said on a visit to Baku Monday.
At the same time, he said holding a free and fair vote was possible with the current Election Code. "Much depends on political will. All political forces in Azerbaijan - the authorities, the opposition and society - should treat application of these laws with respect and enforce them."
Bukikkio said one of the main problems concerns the composition of election commissions. According to him, their current make-up does not ensure representation of all election hopefuls and is not fully trusted by the voters. "Forming the commissions while taking into account the opposition`s views would undoubtedly raise the extent of public confidence in them."
18 seats in the commissions are currently equally split among pro-government, opposition and independent members, but the opposition claims independent members` pro-government slant.
Bukikkio called the wording of Azerbaijan`s Election Code "lengthy and complicated", saying it needed to be shortened and simplified. He pledged to discuss the issue with Azerbaijani officials.
However, the Election Code certainly has positive sides, the CE official said, citing as examples the procedure of voters` finger-inking and the conduct of exit polls. "This law is fully in line with democratic norms and the requirements of the present day."
Bukikkio said the Law on Freedom of Assembly passed by the Milli Majlis also fully complied with international standards.
The Azerbaijani parliament on June 2 passed a law on changes to the country`s Election Code. The measure caused discontent of numerous international groups and the opposition.
Under the changes adopted by the overwhelming majority of the lawmakers, the term of pre-election campaigns was reduced from 120 to 75 days. 40,000 signatures are required for the registration of candidates instead of the previous 45,000, and the system of placing deposits by election hopefuls was cancelled. The amount of funds raised by presidential nominees was increased 10 times to 10 million manats ($12 million). Advertising in state media was banned.
Azerbaijan will hold presidential elections on October 15. So far the candidacies of the leaders of Musavat Party, Isa Gambar, the Azerbaijan Democratic Party, Sardar Jalaloglu, the Green Party, Mais Gulaliyev, and the Whole Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Gudrat Hasanguliyev, have been nominated. President of the Public Forum for Azerbaijan Eldar Namazov will run as an independent candidate.
The ruling New Azerbaijan Party intends to nominate its chairman, incumbent President Ilham Aliyev. The opposition bloc of three main opposition parties, Azadlig, has said it was boycotting the election.