The Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM was invited to be observers for the Presidential Elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan, which took place on October 9, 2013. The Group included the following officials: Deputies of the Parliament of Georgia Mr. G. Popkhadze and Mr. V. Lemonjava, Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Mr. R. Raupov, and GUAM Secretary General Mr. Valeri Chechelashvili, who coordinated the Group of Observers.
Based on the results of observing 35 (thirty-five) polling sites in the 15th, 16th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 22th, 23th and 29th electoral precincts in the city of Baku and 7 (seven) polling sites in the 41th, 42, 43th and 44th electoral precincts in the city of Sumgait, the Group of GUAM observers decided to issue the following Statement:
The Presidential Elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan were organised and held in accordance with international commitments and the standards for democratic elections, including commitments and standards in relation to the OSCE and the Council of Europe, as well as national legislation and the rules and procedures elaborated by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
With respect to the activities of the commissions at polling sites, the group of GUAM observers has no essential remarks that could fundamentally impact on the voting results.
The elections were held in the spirit of competition and, in general, can be evaluated positively – as being both free and fair.
Baku, October 9, 2013
