Azerbaijan
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:45:43 UTC
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
g. Other
Comments: Equal representation of voters
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:45:43 UTC
Direct Democracy
DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Hanna Berheim
b. Job Title: Research Assistant
c. Organisation: International IDEA
Last updated: 2006-10-30 13:56:30 UTC
DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level?
Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
a. Mandatory referendum
b. Optional referendum
Comments: C:2 "(2) The people of Azerbaijan exercise their sovereign right directly - by way of nation-wide voting - referendum, and through their representatives elected based on universal, equal and direct suffrage by way of free, secret and personal ballot." C:3 "(1) People of Azerbaijan may solve any questions involving their rights and interests by way of referendum. (2) The following questions may be solved only by way of referendum: 1. acceptance of the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic and introduction of amendments thereto; 2. change of state borders of the Azerbaijan Republic."
Source: The Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, article 2 and 3
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:56:09 UTC
DD03 What is the legal basis for mandatory referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional
Comments: a) C:3 "(1) People of Azerbaijan may solve any questions involving their rights and interests by way of referendum. (2) The following questions may be solved only by way of referendum: 1. acceptance of the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic and introduction of amendments thereto; 2. change of state borders of the Azerbaijan Republic." C:11 "(3) No part of territory of the Azerbaijan Republic may be estranged. The Azerbaijan Republic will not give any part of its territory to anybody; state borders of the Azerbaijan Republic might be changed only by free decision of its peoples made by way of referendum declared by the Parliament [Milli Majlis] of the Azerbaijan Republic."
Source: The Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, article 3 and 11
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:56:09 UTC
DD04 What is the legal basis for optional referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional
Comments: a) C:3 "(1) People of Azerbaijan may solve any questions involving their rights and interests by way of referendum. (2) The following questions may be solved only by way of referendum: 1. acceptance of the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic and introduction of amendments thereto; 2. change of state borders of the Azerbaijan Republic."
Source: The Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, article 3
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:56:09 UTC
DD05 What is the legal basis for citizens' initiatives at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Comments: e) There are no provisions for citizens' initiative, but 300,000 voters can simply ask the President to organise a referendum.
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:04:26 UTC
DD07 What is the legal basis for recalls at the national level?
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:04:26 UTC
DD10 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for citizens' initiatives at the national level?
Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:48:55 UTC
DD12 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for recalls at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:48:55 UTC
DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
a. Mandatory referendum 1991
b. Optional referendum 1991
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:49:34 UTC
DD17 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: c) But in 1991 there was a regional vote in Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave largely Armenian populated. The region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet in November 1991. The regional vote was consultative but accepted.
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:55:30 UTC
DD18 Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Comments: c) But in 1991 there was a regional vote in Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave largely Armenian populated. The region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet in November 1991. The regional vote was consultative but accepted.
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:55:30 UTC
DD19 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:38:08 UTC
DD20 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:38:08 UTC
DD21 Are recalls currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:38:08 UTC
DD22 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:38:08 UTC
DD23 Are optional referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:38:08 UTC
DD24 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:38:08 UTC
DD25 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:38:08 UTC
DD26 Are recalls currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:38:08 UTC
DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments
j. Other (specify)
Comments: j) Change of state borders and other territorial matters. C:3 "(2) The following questions may be solved only by way of referendum: 1. acceptance of the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic and introduction of amendments thereto; 2. change of state borders of the Azerbaijan Republic." C:11 (3) No part of territory of the Azerbaijan Republic may be estranged. The Azerbaijan Republic will not give any part of its territory to anybody; state borders of the Azerbaijan Republic might be changed only by free decision of its peoples made by way of referendum declared by the Parliament [Milli Majlis] of the Azerbaijan Republic.
Source: The Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, article 3 and 11
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:56:09 UTC
DD28 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
b. Adoption of international treaties
c. Transfer of authority to international bodies
d. National sovereignty, national self-determination
e. Conflict between constitutional organs
f. Devolution
g. Civil service
i. Other public policy issues
Comments: C:3 "(1) People of Azerbaijan may solve any questions involving their rights and interests by way of referendum."
Source: The Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, article 3
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:47:54 UTC
DD29 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of referendums at the national level?
h. Taxes and public expenditure commitments
j. Other (specify)
Comments: h) Taxes and state budget matters j) Amnesties and pardons; elections and appointments.
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:56:09 UTC
DD30 Which issues, if any, maybe the subject of sub-national referendums regulated at the national level?
f. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:47:54 UTC
DD31 Who can initiate a referendum at the national level?
c. President
d. Legislative majority
Comments: d) Milli Majlis (Parliament)
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:51:15 UTC
DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
a. Turnout quorum 25
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:52:28 UTC
DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
a. Turnout quorum 25
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:52:28 UTC
DD43 When is the outcome of a mandatory referendum binding?
a. Always
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:04:26 UTC
DD44 When is the outcome of an optional referendum binding?
a. Always
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:04:26 UTC
DD45 Which types of issues can be proposed by citizens using the citizens' initiative process at the national level?
d. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:53:36 UTC
DD47 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of a citizens' initiative at the national level?
l. Not applicable
Last updated: 2006-10-30 14:53:36 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan
b. Full Address Rasul Rza 3, Baku, AZ 1000
c. Telephone Tel/Fax: 00 994 12 493 60 08
f. Website Address http://cec.gov.az/
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of AzerbaijanRovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:44:26 UTC
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
c. Local level
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:44:26 UTC
EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
c. The legislature
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:44:26 UTC
EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
d. A national government department
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:44:26 UTC
EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:44:26 UTC
EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:44:26 UTC
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
b. Separate legislation
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:41:55 UTC
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
c. Local elections
d. Referendums
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:41:55 UTC
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Source: International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/)
Last updated: 2006-11-17 14:21:54 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster?
Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
b. The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising X
Comments: The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME59 Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
a. Yes, in presidential elections
b. Yes, in legislative elections
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
ME62 What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
b. 2-3 days
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:24:09 UTC
Parties and Candidates
PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
b. Deposit requirement (specify amount)
Comments: a) at leasts 450 signatures b) Presidential elections, approximately 38 000 USD/ Parliamentary elections, approximately 6 000 USD
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:20:57 UTC
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
h. Minimum level of education
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:20:57 UTC
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
e. In both presidential and legislative elections
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:20:57 UTC
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
c. Indirect
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2006-11-15 10:22:07 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
a. Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:20:57 UTC
Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:22:45 UTC
VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
f. Other
Comments: f) By the decision of Constituency Election Commission and the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:22:45 UTC
Voter Education
VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
b. Regional Electoral Management Bodies
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:46:51 UTC
VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
b. Election time only
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:46:51 UTC
VE03 Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
b. Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body
e. Yes, conducted by the Government
h. Yes, conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:46:51 UTC
Voting Operations
VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
b. At any polling station in the same voting district
c. At any polling station in the same country
Comments: b) In parliamentary Elections c) In presidential elections and referendums
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:07:46 UTC
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
b. Citizens residing outside the country
c. Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:07:46 UTC
VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
a. Embassies
b. Consulates
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:07:46 UTC
VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:07:46 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 10:07:46 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18
Comments: 18 years
Source: IPU PARLINE database http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2019.htm
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:49:28 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:49:28 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan
Source: Rovzat Gasimov, Head of International Relations Department, Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Last updated: 2006-12-15 09:49:28 UTC
May 20, 2008 07:18 AM
