Voters head to polls in Azerbaijan’s snap presidential elections

Azerbaijanis vote to select a president for another 7-year term as Aliyev rides support from retaking of Karabakh

6.5 million Azerbaijanis are voting today in an election almost certain to see incumbent President Ilham Aliyev chosen to serve another seven-year term.

Voters will cast their ballots across 6,300+ polling stations. 49 polling stations are set up in 37 countries for Azerbaijani citizens living abroad. Roughly 85,000 people have registered to observe the election, while 800 individuals were accredited to monitor the elections on behalf of 49 international organizations and 70 countries.

The elections will also be monitored by 63 international media organizations, including those from Turkey, Russia, Germany, Italy, Japan, and other countries.

Voting also takes place in the Karabakh region

Polling stations have also been established in regions liberated from occupation by Armenia. Thus, for the first time in 30 years, presidential elections are held across all Azerbaijani territories.

Seven candidates, including the incumbent President Aliyev, compete in the elections nominated by the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP). Others include Razi Nurullayev, the leader of the National Front Party, Fazil Mustafa, the leader of the Grand Unity Party, Elshad Musayev, the leader of the Great Azerbaijan Party, Kudret Hasanguliyev, the leader of the Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, and independent candidates Zahid Oruc and Fuad Aliyev.

What happened?

President Aliyev, 62, has been in power for more than 20 years as he enters his fifth election cycle. The presidential election was rescheduled earlier by a decree signed by Aliyev to be held on February 7th. In Azerbaijan, where presidential elections are held every seven years, the last election was held on April 11, 2018.

Source: Newsroom

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