European observers see election campaign as `calm and quiet`
The OSCE election observation mission has released its second
report on Azerbaijan`s October 15 presidential election.
It said that, overall, the atmosphere of the campaign, which began on September 17, is "calm and quiet," and public interest appears limited, apparently due to a perceived lack of genuine competition. The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) is campaigning actively for its candidate, incumbent President Ilham Aliyev. The campaigns of other candidates are also underway, but are far more low-key, the mission said.
It was noted that the Central Election Commission (CEC) continues active preparations for the election.
According to OSCE observers, the CEC has yet to regulate the use of web cameras in polling stations on election day, which the CEC explained would be installed in an effort to increase the transparency of the process.
Regular televised debates on Public TV and radio have, so far, provided candidates with an opportunity to present their messages to voters. Initial media monitoring results show that all TV channels devoted a significant part of their political and election news coverage to the incumbent authorities. While Public TV has made an effort to limit its coverage of the President`s activities since September 17, the President still received considerably more coverage than all other candidates combined, the OSCE mission concluded.
The OSCE mission will be further strengthened by the expected arrival of some 360 short-term observers for election day observations.
Seven candidates are running for presidency.
It said that, overall, the atmosphere of the campaign, which began on September 17, is "calm and quiet," and public interest appears limited, apparently due to a perceived lack of genuine competition. The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) is campaigning actively for its candidate, incumbent President Ilham Aliyev. The campaigns of other candidates are also underway, but are far more low-key, the mission said.
It was noted that the Central Election Commission (CEC) continues active preparations for the election.
According to OSCE observers, the CEC has yet to regulate the use of web cameras in polling stations on election day, which the CEC explained would be installed in an effort to increase the transparency of the process.
Regular televised debates on Public TV and radio have, so far, provided candidates with an opportunity to present their messages to voters. Initial media monitoring results show that all TV channels devoted a significant part of their political and election news coverage to the incumbent authorities. While Public TV has made an effort to limit its coverage of the President`s activities since September 17, the President still received considerably more coverage than all other candidates combined, the OSCE mission concluded.
The OSCE mission will be further strengthened by the expected arrival of some 360 short-term observers for election day observations.
Seven candidates are running for presidency.
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