08 October 2013, 04:42
Mamedli: reduction of campaigning period restricts chances for presidential candidates
The Azerbaijani authorities have failed to create conditions for effective campaigning for the presidency; the candidates had no equal opportunities, since the incumbent President Ilham Aliev was in the privileged position by using the state resources and country's TV Channels, which have broadly covered the incumbent's current activities. This is stated in the second interim report of the Centre for Monitoring Elections and Democracy Training (CMEDT).
The CMEDT's second interim report was prepared jointly with the Public Association for International Cooperation Volunteers (PAICV) based on the long-term observation mission of these organizations.
According to Anar Mamedli, the head of the CMEDT, the shortening of the campaigning period has limited the opportunities for the candidates to conduct their effective campaigns.
He also pointed out that the real active campaigning was carried out in favour of Ilham Aliev, Jamil Gasanli and Igbal Agazade. The majority of other candidates were "technical" and in fact agitated in favour of the candidate of power, the head of the CMEDT believes.
In general, according to Mamedli, "the political and legal climate in the country gives rise to serious doubts that the election on October 9 will be free, fair and democratic."
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
