Media and Elections

Azerbaijan

ME037

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance g. Other (specify)
Comments:	80.1: The following shall have the right to free airtime of TV and radio companies for election campaigning, in accordance with Article 77.2 of this Code: • Presidential candidates; • Political parties or blocs of political parties with candidates registered in more than 60 single-mandate election constituencies, or in more than half of all municipalities; and • Referendum campaign groups with 40,000 or more members. 80.2: The following shall have the tight to free TV and radio airtime companies for pre-election campaigning, in accordance with Article 77.3 of this Code: • Candidates registered in single-mandate constituencies; • Referendum campaign groups with 20,000 or more members; and • Political parties or blocs of political parties with candidates registered in more than 1/3 of all municipalities. 80.3: Candidates for membership of a municipality and referendum campaign groups with 2,000 or more members, shall have the right to free airtime for election campaigning from TV and radio companies, in accordance with Article 77.4 of this Code. 83.2: In order to conduct unpaid pre-election campaigning, candidates registered for single-mandate constituencies and referendum campaign groups with 20,000 or more members, as well as political parties or blocs of political parties whose candidates have been registered in more than 1/3 of all municipalities, shall be entitled to relevant space for free advertising in periodicals issued at least once a week, mentioned in Article 77.3 of this Code
Source:	Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan including 2024 amendments, article 80 and 83: https://msk.gov.az/uploads/qanunvericilik/Election-Code-2024.pdf
Verified:	2024/11/12

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ME059

Television debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	a. Yes, in presidential elections b. Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:	According to the final report of the OSCE/ODIHR, in 2008 presidential election regular roundtable discussions on Public TV and radio provided an opportunity for candidates to present their message to voters, although the format of these roundtables offered limited opportunities for genuine political debate. While the presidential election in 2003 is characterized by the organization of regular televised debates among candidates or their representatives by State TV. During the parliamentary elections in 2010, the four minutes of free airtime allocated to each candidate were the only opportunity for them to present their message to voters, as no other national TV channel organized debates or political talk shows with candidates. During the parliamentary elections held in 2005, regular televised debates, although somewhat limited by the format, gave the parties further opportunities to inform voters of their views.
Source:	Election Observation Mission Final Report on the Presidential Election in the Republic of Azerbaijan (OSCE/ODIHR, 2008): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/azerbaijan/35625; Election Observation Mission Final Report on the Presidential Election in the Republic of Azerbaijan (OSCE/ODIHR, 2003): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/azerbaijan/13467; Election Observation Mission Final Report on the Parliamentary Elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan (OSCE/ODIHR, 2010): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/azerbaijan/75073; Election Observation Mission Final Report on the Parliamentary Elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan (OSCE/ODIHR, 2005): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/azerbaijan/17946.
Verified:	2024/11/12

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ME062

Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	a. 1 day
Comments:	Results of a public opinion survey and forecasts of election results shall not be allowed to be published in the mass media in the 24 hours before Election Day.
Source:	Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan including 2024 amendments, article 76.2: https://msk.gov.az/uploads/qanunvericilik/Election-Code-2024.pdf
Verified:	2024/11/12

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ME080

Question:	Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:	c. No information available
Comments:	The Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan does not specify any limits on paid advertising.
Source:	Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan including 2024 amendments: https://msk.gov.az/uploads/qanunvericilik/Election-Code-2024.pdf
Verified:	2024/11/12

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