Azernews.Az

Interference with presidential elections by executive bodies is unacceptable, head of the OSCE Office in Baku Jose-Luis Herrero said.
He told a seminar organized for mayors and chairs of district election commissions last Wednesday that in particular, executive authorities should not meddle in the voting process and be involved in the vote count.
Herrero said these bodies should equally treat hopefuls representing all political parties, and citizens` right to assemble freely should be fully ensured during the elections.
"Executive authorities` role in the elections should be properly construed," he said.
Herrero said the OSCE was ready to provide assistance in holding free and transparent elections, with non-interference with the electoral process being a pivotal issue.
The OSCE official said a number of shortfalls have been observed in the elections held in Azerbaijan so far, i.e. the executive branch of power considerably interfered with the work of the election commissions.
Head of the President`s Office socio-political department, Ali Hasanov, has vowed to severely punish executive officials responsible for meddling in the electoral process if such instances are revealed. He reminded that President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree during the previous elections banning such interference by central and local bodies. Some of the officials committing the violations have already been punished or dismissed, which should serve as a signal for persons working in executive bodies.
"The authorities are interested in fully eliminating interference with presidential elections by local executive bodies," Hasanov said.
Azerbaijan will hold a presidential poll October 15.