International observers describe Azerbaijan's presidential election as transparent

International observers monitoring the presidential election in Azerbaijan have described the process as transparent.

"By inviting a large number of international observers, Azerbaijan has proved that it is interested in holding open and transparent elections," Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Zhang Ming told a press conference on the results of the monitoring conducted by the organization, Caliber.Az reports.

"A mission of 20 SCO observers arrived in your country at the invitation of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. It is a great honor for us to take part in Azerbaijan's historic presidential election - the first one after the full restoration of the country's territorial integrity.

The day before, we visited over 60 polling stations in Baku and Sumgayit without hindrance and saw that all conditions were created for voting.

We state that the elections were transparent and democratic, fully complying with both the requirements of the electoral legislation and international standards. We have not recorded any violations of the law that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the elections. I would like to express gratitude to the country's authorities for creating all conditions for the SCO mission to observe the presidential election," Zhang Ming underlined.

Meanwhile, director of the Russian Institute for Political Studies Sergei Markov noted that presidential election in Azerbaijan was fair and just.

While observing the elections yesterday, we were pleasantly surprised by the high voter turnout, sometimes there were queues to vote. This is the first election held in the whole territory of Azerbaijan after the full restoration of territorial integrity, I think this is one of the reasons for such activity".

"The elections were held in strict compliance with the election code and the Constitution of Azerbaijan, democratically, honestly, fairly and freely. All unbiased and objective international organizations, I think, should recognize this," Markov emphasized.

Addressing the press conference on the monitoring results, head of observer mission of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Secretary General of OTS Kubanychbek Omuraliev noted that the objectivity of the election has been ensured.

"Yesterday we witnessed that the presidential election in Azerbaijan were held in full compliance with international standards and norms, as well as local legislation.

He noted that the mission observed the elections at polling stations in Baku, Shusha and Khankandi.

"We have not recorded any violations, public order, transparency and objectivity of the elections were fully ensured. We did not notice any attempts to put pressure on voters," the head of the mission said.