BAKU, Feb 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Azerbaijan’s presidential election kicked off on Wednesday, with over 6.4 million people eligible to vote.
At 8:00 a.m. local time, polling stations across the country opened for voters, initiating a day-long electoral process that will end at 7:00 p.m. local time.
According to the Central Election Commission, 6,537 polling stations have been set up in 125 constituencies.
A total of 790 international observers, representing 72 international organizations and 89 countries, are monitoring the proceedings alongside over 89,000 local observers.
The election features seven candidates vying for the presidency, and initial election results will be announced by the Central Election Commission on Feb. 9.
Voting for the 1st time takes place on territories that were occupied by Armenia for more than 30 years
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, first lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their family members voted at polling station No. 14 in the city of Khankendi.
Seven candidates have been registered to participate in the presidential elections, including the current head of state Ilham Aliyev.
Aliyev was nominated by the Yeni Azerbaijan Party (EPA). Six other candidates are Chairman of the National Front Party Razi Nurullayev, head of the Great Creation Party Fazil Mustafa, chairman of the Great Azerbaijan Party Elshad Musayev, head of the People’s Front of All Azerbaijan party Gudrat Hasanguliyev, and independent candidates Zahid Oruch and Fuad Aliyev.
The last presidential election in Azerbaijan, which is held every seven years, was held on April 11, 2018. Through a decree signed by Aliyev, the presidential elections, which were scheduled for October 2025, were moved forward.
Polling stations have also opened in the areas liberated by Azerbaijan from the Armenian occupation in 2020-2023. So, for the first time in 30 years, presidential elections are being held throughout the entire territory of Azerbaijan.
More than 22,000 voters will vote in the city of Shusha, the “pearl” of Karabakh, in Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavand, Agder, Aghdam, Jabrail, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli, Lachin, and Kelbajar. — NNN-AGENCIES
