OSCE official in Azerbaijan to look into opposition party's non-registration

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

[Presenter] The representative of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Nikolay Vulchanov, has arrived in Baku again. The aim of his visit is to study the preelection situation in Azerbaijan.

[Correspondent over video of Vulchanov's meeting with Musavat officials] The representative of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Nikolay Vulchanov, met Musavat Party leader Isa Gambar today. During their talks, Vulchanov was given copies of the signature collection lists submitted to the Central Electoral Commission [CEC] by Musavat and the conclusion of the expert commission.

The party's secretary, Arif Hajiyev, has said that Vulchanov's reaction will be known in a few days. We tried, but failed to find out Vulchanov's initial view.

[Vulchanov, in Russian] Not for the public.

[Correspondent] Arif Hajiyev said that the OSCE official had arrived in Baku from Tirana in connection with the refusal to register Musavat to run in the parliamentary elections.

Before coming to the Musavat Party's office, Vulchanov visited the CEC. The head of the CEC press service, Arif Huseynov, said that he was unaware what was discussed at the talks between Vulchanov and the CEC chairman, Mazahir Panahov.

Source: ANS TV, Baku, in Russian 1500 gmt 20 Sep 00

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