European lawmakers cite bias in int`l feedback of elections: MP
European lawmakers believe that the document
assessing Azerbaijan`s October 15 presidential elections, prepared
by the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the European Union,
contained subjective views, the head of the Azerbaijani delegation
in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has
said.
Samad Seyidov, who attended a recent meeting of the assembly`s Monitoring Committee in Paris, said this opinion had been expressed by several British, Turkish, German, Russian, Hungarian, and Swiss MPs.
"They emphasized that the elections had been held on a very high level. This was clearly witnessed by PACE members and other MPs who observed the vote. Therefore, not Azerbaijan`s presidential elections, but the reasons for the inclusion of subjective views on the electoral process in the documents issued after the poll should be a subject of discussion at the CE in the future."
Some MPs said in their addresses that the observation mission delegated by the CE should be improved, while others cited a double standard approach applied toward Azerbaijan.
Seyidov said the work of the mission should be analyzed, while the double standard against Azerbaijan eliminated.
"It should be explained, based on facts, to those who adhered to a biased position on the presidential elections, that this was a wrong stance," he said, adding that the views expressed at the meeting would help to achieve a positive assessment of the elections at the November 27 meetings planned for PACE.
Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), PACE and the European Parliament said the presidential election held in Azerbaijan marked considerable progress, but did not meet all of the country`s international commitments, In a joint statement, they claimed the election was conducted in a peaceful manner, but was characterized by a lack of robust competition and vibrant political discourse with the assistance of the media, and thus did not reflect all principles of "a meaningful and pluralistic democratic election."
It also said the authorities made efforts to create more equitable conditions for candidates, and the election was organized in an overall efficient manner, although shortcomings were observed on election day, in particular, during the crucial phase of the vote count. The observers noted that the campaign was generally low-key, with the incumbent not campaigning personally, and other candidates commanding little apparent public support.
Samad Seyidov, who attended a recent meeting of the assembly`s Monitoring Committee in Paris, said this opinion had been expressed by several British, Turkish, German, Russian, Hungarian, and Swiss MPs.
"They emphasized that the elections had been held on a very high level. This was clearly witnessed by PACE members and other MPs who observed the vote. Therefore, not Azerbaijan`s presidential elections, but the reasons for the inclusion of subjective views on the electoral process in the documents issued after the poll should be a subject of discussion at the CE in the future."
Some MPs said in their addresses that the observation mission delegated by the CE should be improved, while others cited a double standard approach applied toward Azerbaijan.
Seyidov said the work of the mission should be analyzed, while the double standard against Azerbaijan eliminated.
"It should be explained, based on facts, to those who adhered to a biased position on the presidential elections, that this was a wrong stance," he said, adding that the views expressed at the meeting would help to achieve a positive assessment of the elections at the November 27 meetings planned for PACE.
Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), PACE and the European Parliament said the presidential election held in Azerbaijan marked considerable progress, but did not meet all of the country`s international commitments, In a joint statement, they claimed the election was conducted in a peaceful manner, but was characterized by a lack of robust competition and vibrant political discourse with the assistance of the media, and thus did not reflect all principles of "a meaningful and pluralistic democratic election."
It also said the authorities made efforts to create more equitable conditions for candidates, and the election was organized in an overall efficient manner, although shortcomings were observed on election day, in particular, during the crucial phase of the vote count. The observers noted that the campaign was generally low-key, with the incumbent not campaigning personally, and other candidates commanding little apparent public support.
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