PACE delegation to observe presidential election in Azerbaijan

A 26-member delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Andres Herkel (Estonia, EPP/CD), will be visiting Azerbaijan from 12 to 17 October 2008 to observe the presidential election, alongside observers from the European Parliament and the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The delegation members will be meeting several election candidates, representatives of the political parties and coalitions, the Chair of the Central Electoral Commission, political experts and representatives of civil society and the media, before travelling to various parts of the country to observe voting on 15 October.

The delegation will also include an expert from the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.

Last September, a PACE delegation carried out a pre-election visit to Baku, following which it expressed its concern about “a presumed lack of public interest” and its regret at the decision taken by five opposition parties not to participate in the vote.

A press conference will be held on Thursday 16 October (place and time to be confirmed).