CIS observers review preparation for snap parliamentary election in Azerbaijan PHOTO

International observers from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly (IPA) have engaged with representatives from various Azerbaijani parties' election headquarters to discuss preparation for the Azerbaijani snap parliamentary elections.

The discussions, part of a long-term monitoring effort, were conducted online, Caliber.Az reports citing the local media.

Deputy Head of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Council Secretariat and Director of the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development Ivan Mushket announced that international observers from the IPA CIS will monitor Azerbaijan's parliamentary elections scheduled for September 1. This follows an invitation from Speaker of the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani parliament Sahiba Gafarova.

Mushket stated that a team of observers, including representatives from IPA CIS member states' parliaments, IPA officials, and experts from the IPA CIS International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, is currently being assembled. First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Andrei Yatskin has been appointed as the coordinator of this observer group.

During their visit, observers discussed election preparation with the leadership of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party. Deputy Chairman and Head of the Party's Central Office Tahir Budagov informed the observers that the New Azerbaijan Party has nominated candidates in 125 constituencies and appointed observers to monitor all polling stations.

During their meetings with international observers, Budagov highlighted that 30 per cent of the New Azerbaijan Party’s candidates are young people and expressed hope for enhanced cooperation on youth projects with the IPA.

The IPA CIS observers also met with the leadership of the Azerbaijani Party of Justice, Law, and Democracy. Mushket emphasised that the observers adhere to principles of state sovereignty, impartiality, and effective assistance, as outlined in the CIS Convention on Standards of Democratic Elections, Voting Rights, and Freedoms.

Chairman of the Azerbaijani Party of Justice, Law, and Democracy Gudrat Hasanguliyev discussed the campaign’s dynamics, his expectations for the elections, and praised the Azerbaijani Central Election Commission’s professionalism. He noted a healthy competitive spirit among the parties but also pointed out concerns about external attempts to interfere in the election preparation.

International observers also discussed election preparation with representatives of the Great Azerbaijan Party. During the long-term monitoring phase, IPA CIS experts are preparing a report on the alignment of national legislation with international standards and Azerbaijan's electoral obligations, as well as a comprehensive assessment of the electoral process.

Deputy Chairman and Head of the Party’s Election Headquarters Vugar Gasimov emphasised the party's support for reforms. He reported that election preparation is progressing smoothly according to the schedule, with 6,000 party observers planned to be present at polling stations on election day.

The snap parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are set for September 1, 2024. On this day, IPA CIS international observers will visit polling stations across both the capital and districts of Azerbaijan.