OSCE issues final assessment of pres poll
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) on Tuesday issued a final report
assessing Azerbaijan`s October 15 presidential election.
The group said that while the election marked considerable progress towards meeting OSCE commitments and other international standards, in particular with regard to some technical aspects of election administration, the election process failed to meet some OSCE commitments.
"The election took place in a peaceful environment, but was characterized by a lack of robust competition, a lack of vibrant political discourse, and a restrictive media environment, and thus did not reflect some of the principles necessary for a meaningful and pluralistic democratic election," the report said. "Regrettably, some opposition parties decided not to participate in the election, citing longstanding obstacles to equal treatment and equal opportunities to convey their views, thus further limiting the scope for a credible choice for the electorate."
According to OSCE/ODIHR, although the authorities made some effort to create more equitable conditions for all candidates, the dominant coverage of the incumbent in the electronic media, as well as instances of a confluence of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) with official structures, did not serve to create a level playing field.
The group said that while the election marked considerable progress towards meeting OSCE commitments and other international standards, in particular with regard to some technical aspects of election administration, the election process failed to meet some OSCE commitments.
"The election took place in a peaceful environment, but was characterized by a lack of robust competition, a lack of vibrant political discourse, and a restrictive media environment, and thus did not reflect some of the principles necessary for a meaningful and pluralistic democratic election," the report said. "Regrettably, some opposition parties decided not to participate in the election, citing longstanding obstacles to equal treatment and equal opportunities to convey their views, thus further limiting the scope for a credible choice for the electorate."
According to OSCE/ODIHR, although the authorities made some effort to create more equitable conditions for all candidates, the dominant coverage of the incumbent in the electronic media, as well as instances of a confluence of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) with official structures, did not serve to create a level playing field.
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