Participation of the PABSEC Delegation in the Monitoring Mission for the Early Presidential Elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, 5-8 February 2024
On 5-8 February 2024, the PABSEC delegation, consisting of Mr. Petar Kunev, PABSEC Vice-President, Head of the PABSEC Bulgarian Delegation, Mr. Ramaz Nikolayshvili, PABSEC Vice-President, Member of the PABSEC Georgian Delegation, Mr. Konstantinos Vlasis, Head of the PABSEC Hellenic Delegation, Mr. Daniel Constantin, PABSEC Vice-President, Head of the PABSEC Romanian Delegation, and Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, participated in the observation mission for the early presidential elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The PABSEC delegation met with Sahiba Gafarova, Chairperson of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The importance of holding presidential elections in Azerbaijan was emphasized. Issues related to the activities of PABSEC were also discussed, and it was decided to hold a PABSEC committee meeting in Baku in September 2024.
The PABSEC delegation visited the Central Election Commission and met with its Chairman Mr. Mazahir Panahov. The PABSEC representatives received information about the preparation and organization of the voting process and the electoral legislation. The observers particularly noted the consistent work of the Central Election Commission in ensuring the openness and transparency of the elections.
On the day of the elections, 7 February 2024, the PABSEC delegation visited several polling stations in the city of Baku and noted that the elections were conducted in full compliance with the existing electoral legislation and standards for democratic elections.
The PABSEC monitoring delegation held a press conference on 7 February 2024. According to the PABSEC delegation, there were no violations during the elections, and the elections were held in a democratic atmosphere. All necessary conditions were created for effective monitoring of the preparation and conduct of the elections, which indicates the openness and transparency of the electoral process. According to preliminary data, the voter turnout was 76.73%.
According to the data announced by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the present President of the country, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, received 92.12% of the votes and was elected for the next 7 years.