VZCZCXRO5999
OO RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHKB #0981 2890900
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 150900Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAKU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0186
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES  PRIORITY
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 3087
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1150

UNCLAS BAKU 000981 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM AJ
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SITREP#1 10:30AM 
BAKU 
 
REF: A. BAKU 961 
     ¶B. BAKU 980 
 
¶1. (SBU) Azerbaijan's polling stations opened largely on time 
(08:00 local time) on October 15, with observers noting an 
orderly process with minimal technical violations or issues, 
and a slow, steady stream of voters casting ballots.  Voting 
in the presidential election will take place until 19:00, 
when polling stations will close and counting will begin. 
Embassy staff, divided into 19 teams, are visiting polling 
stations in Baku and Azerbaijan's regions, working 
separately, but in cooperation with OSCE/ODIHR and other 
international observers.  All are accounted for and providing 
updates on election day activities to Embassy staff in Baku. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Embassy observers report a large presence of 
domestic observers in place at polling stations.  For the 
most part, these domestic observers represent political 
parties, mainly President Aliyev's New Azerbaijan Party. 
Additionally, other domestic observers, representing NGOs, as 
well as individuals accredited to observe, are participating. 
 There are no reports of domestic or international observers 
being denied entrance to polling stations. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Observers working in conjunction with the Election 
Monitoring Center (EMC), which is conducting a parallel vote 
tabulation, are present at polling stations.  These 
observers, which reportedly encountered some resistance or 
interference ahead of the election, based on association with 
EMC, are acting in polling stations as individuals, in 
accordance with Azerbaijani law, rather than as members of 
the broader group.  (Note: EMC was registered as an NGO by 
the GOAJ last winter, then rashly de-registered in spring. 
In a court case that followed, the organization was annulled. 
 Since that time, the GOAJ, at various levels, has assured 
the Embassy that EMC observers would be able to participate 
in the election and conduct a parallel vote tabulation as 
individual citizens of Azerbaijan, but would not be allowed 
to function as an entity.  End Note.) There are no visible 
signs of EMC activity, e.g. badges or banners.  All domestic 
observers, rather, have credentials issued by the Central 
Election Commission (CEC).  The National Democratic Institute 
(NDI), which is working with EMC on the parallel vote 
tabulation, reports that EMC observers were instructed to 
keep a low file, presenting individual credentials and not 
highlighting EMC materials.  Presently, indications are that 
the parallel vote tabulation will precede as planned. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Several Government-sponsored NGOs (GONGOs) are 
conducting exit polls at polling stations.  Results of the 
effort appear to be mixed, with reports of inconsistent 
activity.  At several polling stations around the country, 
exit poll implementers are not approaching voters, and voters 
are not approaching them.  As a result, exit poll surveys are 
largely incomplete.  At other polling stations, GONGOs appear 
to be more assertive, requesting voters to fill out the 
surveys. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Embassy observers thus far report no gross 
violations or irregularities at polling stations, but have 
brought to attention minor issues and technical violations. 
In some regions, police are standing too close to polling 
stations, though not interfering with voters.  At other 
precincts, election officials have inconsistently applied 
inking, and several cases of voter registration delays have 
been reported.   In Baku, UK Embassy observers noted that one 
polling station was suddenly filled with large numbers of 
voters from a nearby hospital, with individuals presenting 
de-registration certificates.  These certificates allow 
individuals to vote in precincts outside their home district. 
 In Nakhchivan, an official of the Ministry of Internal 
Affairs is making himself known near a polling station, 
perhaps intimidating voters.  Embassy has been in contact 
with the Central Election Commission to discuss issues and 
areas of concern, and will continue this dialogue. 
DERSE