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Article 69
 

69.1. All of the registered candidates and referendum campaign groups shall have equal rights and responsibilities, taking their status into account.


69.2. Registered candidates and authorized representatives of referendum campaign groups who work in state bodies, municipalities, or the mass media under a labor or civil contract, shall be released from their employment during their participation in election (referendum) campaigning (this rule shall not apply to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, deputies of the Milli Majlis, or municipality members). The approved copy of the relevant order shall be submitted to the election commission registering the above-mentioned candidates and authorized representatives within 3 days, at the latest, from the day of registration. Such candidates or authorized representatives shall not abuse their authority or positions to gain benefits or privileges.


69.3. Registered candidates working in state positions, initiators of referendum campaign groups, and registered candidates or initiators of referendum campaign groups who are municipal officials, shall not abuse their positions of authority to gain privileges.


69.4. Cases of violation of this equality principle, resulting from obtaining privileges or abusing one’s authority or position, shall be determined by Article 55.2 of this Code.


69.5. Registered candidates and, initiators of referendum campaign who occupy state positions or hold municipal positions, shall have the right to conduct pre-election (pre-referendum) campaigning when they are released from fulfillment of their duties. According to Article 81 of this Code the usage of free TV or radio airtime by registered candidates and referendum campaign groups shall not be regulated by these rules.


69.6. Registered candidates and initiators of referendum campaign groups, or the agents or authorized representatives of registered candidates, political parties, blocs of political parties, or referendum campaign groups, who are officials, journalists, or production personnel for TV and mass media, shall be prohibited from participating in coverage of the elections (referendum) by the mass media.


69.7. Observation of the limitations specified in Articles 69.3-69.5 of this Code should not impede deputies of the Milli Majlis and municipal members from performing their responsibilities and duties to voters.


69.8. The following persons shall not be permitted to conduct charitable activities:


• Registered candidates, political parties, and blocs of political parties;


• The relevant agents and authorized representatives of political parties, blocs of political parties and referendum campaign groups;


• The agents of registered candidates;


• The initiators of referendum campaign groups;


• The above-mentioned persons and groups’ organizations, founders, owners, members or employees;


• Other physical or legal entities acting on the basis of instructions from the above-mentioned persons or groups.


The above-mentioned persons and organizations shall be prohibited from applying to legal entities and individuals and voters with proposals to render financial or other services. Such legal and physical entities shall be prohibited from conducting charitable activity in support or on behalf of the candidates, registered candidates, political party, bloc of political parties, members of a referendum campaign group, or their authorized representatives and agents.