This story about the elections in Azerbaijan somewhat bothered me. I was glad the Australian MP went as an observer and I am glad the election PROCESS went well, but, the choice of candidates did not result in an election that makes sense.

The democracy in Azerbaijan is more or less a ruling party. The way candidates become known is to sometimes be a running mate and elected as Vice President. The other way other candidates from the people get to be known is with a free press and a literate population. The free press can hold debates where all the candidates get to air their understanding of issues, views and potential solutions.

I think the people of Azerbaijan need to work on their choice of candidates.

17 April 2018
By Michael Kozoil

The President of Azerbaijan (click here) took over from his father in 2003. His wife is the Vice-President. And last week he was re-elected with 86 per cent of the vote after a boycott by opposition parties.

Liberal MP Craig Kelly says Australia needs to learn from the country's electoral system.

The south-west Sydney MP travelled to the former Soviet nation for the second time last week as leader of a delegation to observe its presidential election. In comments that riled Armenians in Australia, Mr Kelly was quoted in Azerbaijan media saying he had witnessed a "coherent, democratic process" and "an election organisation that surpassed Australia's experience"....