The central office of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) has hosted a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Head of the Central Office of YAP Tahir Budagov and Head of Staff of the Observer Mission of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Oleg Kuleba, YAP reported.

While acknowledging that the CIS observation team has been keeping tabs on the Azerbaijani elections since 2003, Kuleba conveyed his appreciation for the meeting. It will be the CIS mission's twelfth election in Azerbaijan, he said, drawing attention to the next extraordinary election to the parliament of Azerbaijan on September 1.

He further provided information about the composition and activities of the CIS observation mission, stating that it currently consists of 132 members, 10 of whom have been long-term observers. He mentioned that preliminary observations indicate equal opportunities for candidates and that the Central Election Commission and its local bodies are well-prepared for the election. Kuleba also noted that the mission members have faced no obstacles in their work and that the relevant agencies have supported their efforts to obtain the necessary information.

In his turn, Budagov emphasized the importance of the CIS observation mission in Azerbaijan for the exchange of election management experience and the further development of the electoral process.

Reporting on YAP’s preparations for the election and the pre-election campaign, Budagov stated that Azerbaijan has a rich and continually improving electoral experience. He assured that all conditions have been provided to ensure the upcoming parliamentary elections are competitive, free, fair, transparent, and democratic.

The YAP deputy chairman answered questions from the CIS observation mission, underscoring the significance of external evaluations of the election process and wishing the mission success in its work.

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