Co-organized by the Presidential Administration, the Central Elections Commission (CEC) and the Press Council, the seminar titled “Elections to the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan: the roles and duties of media in reelection process” kicked off in Baku on Oct.2.

The seminar is attended by CEC chairman Mazahir Panahov, Azerbaijani president’s Aide for public and political affairs Ali Hasanov, deputy chairman of the Press Council Umud Mirzayev, CEC members and heads of some media outlets.

Addressing the seminar, CEC chairman Mazahir Panahov said this is the first meeting held in this format on the initiative of Ali Hasanov.

The CEC always tries to cooperate openly with the press, Panahov said. “We want both local and foreign media representatives to participate in our events. We have created all conditions for the media representatives to attend the electoral process from beginning to end only with a press card. We should let everyone to demonstrate their will. The election mission aims to consider the opinion of the majority. To date, there’s not been such a problem,” he said.

Panahov said that date of registration of the candidates expires today and the election campaign will start on October 9. “We felt it necessary to hold this event. Social networks are in fact permanent bodies of media. Any campaign on social networks is more influential than hundreds of publications,” he added.

The CEC chairman said that every effort should be made to prevent overshadowing the elections.

Ali Hasanov, the Azerbaijani president`s aide on public and political issues, spoke about the development of free and pluralistic society in Azerbaijan and the role of media in this process.

Deputy Chairman of the Press Council Umud Mirzeyev said that the Press Council attaches special importance to fair and unbiased coverage of elections by media outlets.

“The Press Council focuses on election-related media reports during monitoring and takes into account negative cases like violation of the balance principle, manipulation of quotes taken out of their context,” he said.

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