Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

With Azerbaijan's next presidential elections just around the corner, the pre-election campaign and preparations for the vote are in full swing.

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

Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said on September 29 that representatives of 34 organizations from 87 countries will observe the presidential election in Azerbaijan.

According to preliminary data, the number of representatives of international entities will be 1,012, he said.

"The number of observers registered by Azerbaijan's CEC amounts to 4,590 people and in the district polling stations to 29,124," Panahov said.

He also announced the continuation of education programs for the upcoming presidential elections. Relevant trainings are being completed.

On September 27, the CEC approved of the appeals of "REY" monitoring center, "Proqnoz" (Forecast) independent sociological research center as well as "Constitution" research foundation to hold exit polls during the presidential elections.

CEC Deputy Chairman Natig Mammadov stressed that none of these organizations have any problems in carrying out their functions in conducting exit polls.

Earlier ELS Independent Research Center was registered to hold exit polls.

Panahov said on September 28 that one of the main points of the election process is the preparation of ballot papers.

Panahov went on to say that the preparation for printing ballot papers is complete and five days before the elections the papers will be submitted to all district election commissions.

"The ballots should be delivered to precinct election commissions three days before the elections. I think that this process will be completed by October 4," Panahov said.

According to the CEC chairman, international observers will be allowed to contribute to the process of the distribution of ballots.

"The upcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan will be absolutely transparent and within the protection of the constitutional rights of citizens. All criteria have been considered in the preparation of ballots. The ballots are enumerated and their complete record has been prepared," Panahov said.

The CEC chairman also said the process of the distribution of protocols will be conducted with the participation of international observers as well.

According to him, each polling station will be distributed 30 copies of protocol samples. The main goal is to provide representatives of media outlets and observers of the presidential elections with protocol samples.

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.