Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

The increase of the number of foreign and local observers to 30,000 indicates the international community's interest in the upcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan, chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said.

Azerbaijan will hold elections on October 9 to elect its president for the next five-year term.

Speaking at the CEC meeting held on September 25, Panahov said that 697 of the total number of observers are international monitors.

The number of observers in certain constituencies has reached 25,292 and that of observers across the country is 4,072.

The CEC chairman went on to say that applications for observing the elections are still being received.

"A large number of people both in Azerbaijan and abroad, who would like to observe the elections, is another proof that the international community's interest in the presidential elections in Azerbaijan is very high," Panahov said.

During the CEC meeting, one more organization, ELS Independent Research Center, was registered to hold exit polls during the presidential elections.

CEC Deputy Chairman Natig Mammadov said that ELS Independent Research Center has already conducted exit polls six times at the elections and has enough relevant experience and resources. Mammadov stressed that some 1,100 people from ELS will be involved in the exit polls.

The senior electoral body's meeting also viewed the application of the Social Union of Legal Education of Sumgayit Youth on conducting exit polls and declined it.

Mammadov said that the documents submitted by this organization, especially its bylaws, include a clause indicating that the organization cannot participate in elections.

An exit poll is important not only for holding fair and transparent elections but also to protect voters' rights.

Earlier head of the OSCE Office in Baku Koray Targay said that the processes of receiving, verification and approval of presidential candidates' documents were transparent in Azerbaijan. He expressed hope that Azerbaijan will hold a presidential election which will set an example to the world.

Campaigning for next month's presidential election which started on September 16 continues with ten candidates, including chairman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, President Ilham Aliyev, Umid Party leader Igbal Aghazade, self-nominated candidate Zahid Oruj, chairman of the United Popular Front Party Gudrat Hasanguliyev, Modern Musavat party leader Hafiz Hajiyev, Azerbaijan Social Democratic Party chairman Araz Alizade, National Revival Party leader Faraj Guliyev, chairman of the Adalat (Justice) party Ilyas Ismayilov, Jamil Hasanli from the opposition National Council as well as chairman of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party Sardar Jalaloghlu.

According to the electoral law, the official election campaign will last until 18:00 on October 8.