Azerbaijani CEC: Suspending funds for campaigning of candidates will create equal conditions for struggle

Suspending funds for campaigning of candidates in accordance with the changes to the Electoral Code will create equal opportunities for candidates to contest the elections, Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) member Ramiz Ibrahimov said at the courses for members of the district election commissions (DEC).

Ibrahimov said special accounts of candidates, the election funds of political parties and blocs should be opened in the regional branches of the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA). If there is no IBA branch in the region, opening an account at another bank may be considered, he added.

The limit of candidate's election fund was increased, Ibrahimov said.

"The figure is 500,000 manat for each candidate. These funds may be formed by personal funds of the candidate. Moreover, the political parties and electoral blocs may allocate funds not exceeding 150,000 manat to candidate. Every citizen can transfer no more than 3,000 manat and legal entities - no more than 50,000 to the account of a candidate," Ibrahimov said.

The courses that started on Aug.23 will last through Aug.29. Upon completion of the courses, the DECs' chairpersons will be awarded certificates.

Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are scheduled for Nov. 7. The previous elections were held in November 2005. Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are held by the majority system in 125 constituencies.


/Trend/