Text of report by Azerbaijani TV station ANS on 20th March

[Presenter in studio] Today's meeting of the Presidential Executive Staff,
chaired by Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev, was devoted to the repeat
elections to be held in 76 municipalities in the country on 26th March. The
session was attended by ministers, representatives of the local executive
authorities, the Central Electoral Commission and heads of the appropriate
bodies. Aytan Safarova reports.

[Correspondent over video of meeting] Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev
considers that the holding of municipal elections in the country for the
first time could be evaluated as another positive step towards democracy.
As regards the violations in a number of precincts, the president said that
nobody would be permitted to impede the course of the elections. These
people will meet the fate of the [former] head of [Baku's] Narimanov
district executive authorities [Mubariz Rajabov, who was sacked] if such
cases are repeated. Heydar Aliyev said the lack of experience in holding
elections was due to the fact that the majority of the people adhered to
the old regime's election laws. He believes that many people are incapable
of overcoming the Soviet period and practise voting by collecting the
passports of wives, neighbours and relatives. This is no longer valid, the
president said, adding that we have built a democratic, legal and secular
state and we should continue along this road. Dwelling on the question of
guaranteeing security during the elections, Heydar Aliyev said that the
employees of the law-enforcement agencies should protect order and not
interfere in the electoral process. Heydar Aliyev also gave precise
instructions to the heads of the communications and electricity sectors in
connection with the repeat elections.

Aytan Safarova, Agarasul Babayev, ANS.
Source: ANS TV, Baku, in Azeri 1730 gmt 20 Mar 00
BBC Mon TCU 210300 cal/fm