OSCE Office in Baku promotes political pluralism ahead of autumn poll

As Azerbaijan prepares for parliamentary elections in November, the OSCE Office in Baku has launched a series of initiatives to help the country conduct elections in line with OSCE commitments and international standards.

Election observation missions organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in past elections have issued final reports with recommendations to assist Azerbaijan in further meeting its OSCE election-related commitments. Using these as a basis the OSCE Office in Baku will try to address specific shortcomings, in areas such as political dialogue, voter education and domestic observation.

"Given the remaining challenges in the election environment of Azerbaijan, we are focusing our support in 2010 on political pluralism, election administration and fair access to media," says Ambassador Bilge Cankorel, the Head of the OSCE Office in Baku.

Roundtables are being held with government representatives, leading political parties and NGOs, and TV programmes featuring discussions about the recommendations are also planned for broadcast on national television later in 2010. In March the Office launched an additional project to support voter education seminars in many regions of Azerbaijan, and will continue with domestic observer training during the pre-election period.

Bringing political parties together

In April, the Office launched a series of three roundtable discussions with representatives from the government, political parties, civil society and international organizations.

The first event focused on freedom of assembly and illegal interference in the election process. The second concentrated on election administration, particularly the composition of election commissions and their leadership, registration of candidates, and the handling of election complaints. A third roundtable due to take place in August will cover the role and function of the media in elections.

In July and August the Office plans to organize four TV discussions on election issues. The participants, who will include representatives from the government, political parties and civil society, will be decided in consultation with the Central Election Commission, while the topics of the programmes will address issues highlighted in OSCE/ODIHR final reports, such as the composition of election commissions, election campaign rules, freedom of assembly and handling of election complaints. The programmes will be broadcast free of charge on public TV.

Bringing issues to the public

The 2000 parliamentary saw a reported turnout of 71.33 per cent. In contrast, the 2005 poll saw a significant drop to 42.2 per cent, according to OSCE/ODIHR reports. In order to re-engage voter interest and motivation to vote, the Office has launched a voter education project targeting the regions. Through its implementing partner, Democracy Learning Public Association (DLPA), the Office will educate participants about the role of parliament and encourage discussions on the importance of voting.

"The role of MPs is to be open-minded and independent, and they are intended to come from the region they represent," says Azizaga Atakishiyev, a participant in one of the voter education seminars."This is not always the case with the currently elected Parliament, so those regions won't always have their opinion upheld or interests promoted. Widespread information about the intended functions of parliamentarians will have a positive effect on the elections."

Between March and June DLPA held 30 voter education seminars in 24 regions. About 750 participants, including a significant number of young people and women, learned about the role of the elections and parliament in modern democracies and voting rules. They were encouraged to participate in the elections as voters, observers and volunteers. The seminars also stimulated active participation in the form of group presentations with support and interaction from the trainers. Many of the seminar participants were representatives of election, youth and women's NGOs and movements, as well as students and professors who have expressed their intention to spread what they learn through their own channels.

Strengthening domestic observation

To complement voter education, the Office and DLPA are preparing a series of training events for long-term and short-term domestic observers from July and throughout the campaign period. Twenty-four volunteers from as many regions will take part in the two-day training course for long-term observers. This course will include techniques and methodologies for the observation of the handling of voter lists, nomination and registration of candidates, the conduct of the pre-election campaign and election day.

Further, about 200 domestic short-term observers will be trained on rules, rights and responsibilities of observers, election day procedures, and various types of election irregularities that have been reported in earlier elections. The training will take place over ten one-day training sessions of about 20 participants each, drawn from two to three of the larger towns in their regions. Many of them will be identified from the participants of the voter education seminars conducted earlier in the year.

"The importance of the entire project is that it delivers substantial knowledge to the citizens," notes Mirali Huseynov, Chairman of DLPA. "Individuals learn that democratic elections are essential for the provision of stability and social welfare and that successful elections depend on citizens' active participation and co-operation."