CGSS Delegation visit to the Chief Election Commission, Baku, Azerbaijan

On 6th February 2020, CGSS delegation comprising of Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Taimur Akram (Retd) - Executive Director CGSS, Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan – Member Board of Experts, CGSS and Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal - Department of International Relations, Quaid-e-Azam University visited the Chief Election Commission of Azerbaijan at Baku. During the meeting, His Excellency Mazahir Panahov - Chairman Chief Election Commission acquainted the delegation about significance of the forth coming elections in Azerbaijan. He shared different aspects pertaining to holding free, fair and transparent elections.
Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Taimur Akram (Retd) appreciated the sincere efforts and management of the Azerbaijan’s Chief Election Commission for providing equal opportunities to each political party and independent candidates for the upcoming elections. He termed upcoming parliamentary elections as a milestone in achieving greater political stability, socio-economic prosperity, regional integration and provision of basic human necessities. He considered holding of snap elections as right step in right direction. He wished that upcoming elections would fulfil all the desired dreams.
Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan - Member Board of Experts, CGSS shared his views about the long term significance of holding snap elections and providing the educated, energetic young men and women an opportunity to take part in the decision making of the country. He added that it is a vote against entrenched power structure and old fashioned method of governance. This vote is for achieving a liberal democracy, good governance, continuation of economic reforms and capacity building.
Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal appreciated vast canvass of Azerbaijan’s political system and regarded it as positive and productive. He stated that participation of large numbers of independent candidates is a healthy sign for Azerbaijan. He specifically mentioned the vital role of international observers in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Chairman Chief Election Commission shared that more than 80,000 local observers along with 900 international observers have been registered which showed high level of openness and transparency in different operations of the Election Commission.
H.E. Mazahir Panahov appreciated CGSS for the efforts in projecting the real essence of Azerbaijan’s political system, beauty of the democracy and people oriented policies through comprehensive research papers and articles.