IPA CIS - Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States

02/06/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/07/2024 02:27

IPA CIS Observers to Monitor Snap Presidential Election in Azerbaijan

IPACISinternationalobserversstarted their work within the framework of short-term monitoring of the snap presidential election in Azerbaijan.

The snap presidential election in Azerbaijan is scheduled for 7 February 2024. AccordingtotheConstitutionofAzerbaijan, the President of the Republic is elected for a seven-year term.

The IPA CIS international observers group headed by Deputy Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhakyp Asanov met with ProsecutorGeneral of the Azerbaijan Republic Kamran Aliyevand his colleagues.

The partiesdiscussedensuring law and order during preparation and holding of the election,as well as cooperation between the Prosecutor General's Office and electoral management bodies.

Zhakyp Asanovsaid that the observation by the IPA CIS observer group will be conducted at polling stations in the Azerbaijan Republic and in the Commonwealth countries from the opening of the polling stations until the completion of the vote count.

On 5 February, the IPA CIS internationalobserversheld meetings in Baku with the leadership of the election campaign teams of the political parties, which nominated candidates for the President of the Azerbaijan Republic. At the meeting with the leadership of the election campaign teamof candidate Zahid Oruj Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiyemphasized that the IPA CIS observers prioritize objectivity and impartiality.

Also, the IPA CIS internationalobservershad a meeting with Chair of the Central Election Commission of the AzerbaijanRepublic Mazakhir Panahov within the framework of the monitoring of the snap presidential election.

Chairofthe CEC of Azerbaijannotedthat more than 90 thousand observers, including observers from 14 parties, will monitor the election. 790 internationalobserverswereaccreditedbythe Commission. About1000 pollingstationsareequipped with video surveillance.

The monitoring of the snap presidential election in Azerbaijan is conducted by 38 IPA CIS observers - MPs from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, IPA CIS staff members and IPA CIS IIMDD experts.

On 6 February, the IPA CIS observer group held a meeting in Baku. They outlined a work plan for the coming days. The meeting was opened by Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy.

Deputy Head of the IPA CIS Council Secretariat - Director of the International Institute for Monitoring the Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of IPA CIS Member Nations (IPA CIS IIMDD) Ivan Mushketinformed the meeting participants on the main stages of the long-term monitoring.