Uncontested Parliamentary Voting in Azerbaijan Favors Pro-Aliyev Parties
In Azerbaijan's Parliamentary Elections, Aliyev's Party Expected to Maintain Majority
It looks like Azerbaijan's political factions backing President Ilham Aliyev are set to hold a dominant grip on the next parliament following the elections held on September 1. According to sources, Aliyev's New Azerbaijan Party is set to keep a majority in the 125-seat legislature.
With preliminary results pointing to this outcome, the remaining seats are expected to go to independent candidates and representatives from other parties. Many of these parties, however, are rumored to be ardent supporters of the president's policies. The election was initially planned for November, but was brought forward to avoid clashing with the UN climate conference, COP29.
In a statement, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) criticized the electoral process as lacking in freedom. The OSCE declared that the elections took place in a constricting political and legal atmosphere that does not permit genuine political diversity. The campaign was lightly visible and failed to generate substantial public interest. While a substantial number of candidates participated in the election, the competition was lacking, and voters were not provided with genuine political alternatives.
Oppressive measures by the government in recent months, which include the arrests of politicians, human rights activists, journalists, and academics, have fueled concerns about the political climate in Azerbaijan. The OSCE stated that the general political environment in the country does not facilitate the free expression of voters’ opinions.
Local observers reported instances of harassment and obstruction when attempting to monitor the voting process. One observer even shared a video on Facebook showcasing the confrontation faced when trying to document potential voting irregularities.
In one of the more high-profile contests, an Aliyev critic running as an independent candidate, Vafa Nagi, claimed defeat due to fraud. She cited failure by election officials to permit video recording at polling stations in her region as evidence of her loss.
The OSCE also highlighted the underlying gender disparity in Azerbaijani politics. "Women remain underrepresented in elected and appointed positions," the OSCE stated, adding "there are no affirmative measures to bolster their political participation, which is further impeded by enduring gender stereotypes."
Amnesty International published an appeal on September 1, urging for the release of detainees caught up in the year-long government crackdown, including Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov.
"As Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29 in November this year, it is crucial that world leaders hold the government accountable for its continuous human rights violations," the Amnesty International appeal stated. "We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained merely for exercising their fundamental rights."
- The OSCE criticized the Azerbaijan elections, stating that they took place in a constricting political and legal atmosphere that lacks freedom, preventing genuine political diversity and the free expression of voters' opinions.
- Vafa Nagi, an Aliyev critic running as an independent candidate, claimed defeat due to fraud, citing failure by election officials to permit video recording at polling stations in her region as evidence of her loss.
- Amnesty International published an appeal on September 1, urging for the release of detainees caught up in the year-long government crackdown, including Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov, and demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained merely for exercising their fundamental rights. The appeal further emphasized the importance of holding the Azerbaijani government accountable for its human rights violations as the country prepares to host COP29 in November.
