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The OSCE/ODIHR EOM media monitoring results for the precampaign period indicate that the incumbent President received a much greater amount of coverage in news programmes on television in comparison to other political actors, the №2 report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights on the elections to be held in Azerbaijan reads.

The document notes that a huge amount of materials have been dedicated to participation of Ilham Aliyev and his participation in this or that events.

To date, the OSCE/ODIHR EOM has observed 21 major campaign events, including 17 rallies in favour of the incumbent President of Azerbaijan in different locations throughout the country. “The OSCE/ODIHR EOM noted three instances of apparent coercion to attend YAP rallies,” the report says.

OSCE/ODIHR EOM observations of YAP rallies in Qak and Shamakhi on 20 and 23 of September, respectively (participants being prevented from leaving the rally before the end), and direct communications with participants of a YAP rally in Mingachevir on 25 September (students told by their teachers to attend the rally and not to leave before the end).

According to the report the official campaign began on 16 September and while it has been generally calm, it has been marred by some reported incidents of intimidation of family members of political figures. To date, the campaign has lacked substantive debate and has focused on personality rather than concrete political platforms.

The presidential elections in Azerbaijan are scheduled on 9 October 2013. The previous presidential elections were held on 15 October 2008. The incumbent president Ilham Aliyev is on this position for two terms already - since 2003. In March 2009 a referendum on making amendments to the Constitution was held in Azerbaijan, which repealed the restriction on one person remaining in office for more than two consecutive terms. The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe stated in this regard, "Giving one person the right to be repeatedly elected to the presidency is seen as a step backwards in the development of democracy."