Presidential Election, 15 October 2008

Following an invitation from the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the ODIHR has deployed an election observation mission (EOM) to observe the 15 October 2008 presidential election. 

The ODIHR conducted a needs assessment mission from 17 to 20 June 2008 in order to assess the conditions and preparations for the elections and to advise on the format and modalities of an election observation mission. The needs assessment mission recommended the deployment of a standard election observation mission.

Long-term observation

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Ambassador Boris Frlec (Slovenia), began work on 1 September. The EOM has a core team of 12 international experts at the head office in Baku, and 28 long-term observers deployed in teams in the regions. The EOM observers are drawn from 23 OSCE participating States.

The EOM will assess the entire election process in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections, as well as national legislation. The EOM will focus on the legislative framework and its implementation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, the election campaign and the media, the access of domestic observers, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

The EOM held its opening press conference on 4 September in Baku.

Short-term observation

The ODIHR has requested the secondment of 450 short-term observers from the OSCE participating States for election day itself. The short-term observers will be deployed in teams of two throughout Azerbaijan to monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results at all levels.

On 16 October, the EOM will hold a press conference to release its Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions.

Previous elections

The ODIHR has observed a number of elections in Azerbaijan, including the 2005 parliamentary elections, 2003 presidential elections and the 2001 parliamentary elections. The ODIHR has also issued, together with the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, several opinions and reviews of election-related legislation of Azerbaijan.