This article was originally published in English
25 political parties are taking part in the September 1 elections, the winners of which will be called to govern the country for the next five years. 990 candidates are competing for 125 positions in parliament
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Polls open in Azerbaijan for the parliamentary electionsthe first since the country regained full control of a former breakaway territory in a lightning offensive last year.
The elections are taking place against a backdrop of ongoing regional challenges and geopolitical tensions, with international observers present to monitor the electoral process.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev voted at a polling station of the Milli Mejlis parliament in Baku, together with his wife and vice president of the country Mehriban Aliyeva and their daughter.
Previous elections since independence from the Soviet Union have not been considered fully free or fair, and the vote for the Milli Mejlis parliament is not expected to bring significant changes to the body dominated by President Ilham Aliyev’s New Azerbaijan party.
Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan: what voters think
More than 6.4 million people are registered to vote. “I am voting to improve our education system, with the hope that in five years there will be more job opportunities and less unemployment. I am voting for a better future and positive progress in our country,” said one voter.
“It is my duty to actively participate in the elections,” said another voter. “That is why I am here today: to vote for a stable and prosperous life.”
“I voted for the development of Azerbaijan. I want to see our young generation grow up and be employed here in better conditions,” said an Azerbaijani voter in the capital Baku.
They participate in the elections 25 political parties: the winners will be called to govern the country for the next five years. 990 candidates are vying for 125 seats in parliament.
The ruling party currently holds 69 of the 125 seats, with most of the remainder held by small pro-government parties or independents.
This is the second time that Azerbaijani citizens are voting in 2024 after the presidential elections last February.
Elections amid geopolitical tensions
The main opposition Musavat party has fielded 34 candidates for Sunday’s election, but only 25 have been registered. The opposition Republican Alternative party will field 12 candidates.
According to the Constitution, the elections were supposed to be held in November but Aliyev decreed that they be held two months early in view of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) 2024which Azerbaijan will host in Baku from 11 to 22 November.
The elections also come a year after Azerbaijan launched a military operation in the Karabakh region, which has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since 1994.
Two hundred international observers have been invited to the country by the Azerbaijani government to monitor aspects of the electoral process, while the National Election Commission said that 50 organizations will conduct observation functions.
The largest observer contingent, from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), is due to present its preliminary assessment of the elections on Monday.