TURKPA Mission observed early parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan

TURKPA Election Observation Mission conducted short-term monitoring of the early parliamentary elections held in the Republic of Azerbaijan on 1 September 2024. Prior to the election day, the Mission held meetings with the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mazahir Panahov and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov. On the voting day, the Mission visited polling stations in Baku, Shamakhi and Gobustan. The Mission observed the voting process starting from the opening of polling stations till the counting of votes. Members of the Mission monitored the conduct of the elections, conversed with voters, domestic observers and polling stations’ officials, and gave interviews to local and foreign media. On 2 September, the Mission held a press conference on the preliminary outcomes of its observation. The Mission assessed the overall voting process positively in the polling stations observed, characterizing it as transparent and well-organized. The Mission noted that election administration bodies were well-resourced and conducted preparations for the elections efficiently. The Mission positively noted the measures to ensure the electoral rights of voters with disabilities. The Mission concluded that the early parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan of 1 September 2024 were held in compliance with the national legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan and international election standards. The TURKPA Election Observation Mission was composed of the parliamentarians from Kazakhstan and Türkiye – Mukash Iskandirov (Kazakhstan), Ahmet Zenbilci, Emre Çalışkan, Mahmut Rıdvan Nazırlı, Kadim Durmaz and Filiz Kılıç (Türkiye), TURKPA Secretary General Mehmet Süreyya Er, parliamentary staff members and other representatives of the TURKPA Secretariat. The Mission was headed by member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Ahmet Zenbilci.