In a final press conference, the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) announced the successful completion of its observation mission during the extraordinary presidential elections held in the Republic of Azerbaijan on February 7, 2024.
The IEPF, having decided on January 7, 2024, to deploy a 50-member observer team, held a meeting at the Board of Trustees. The Central Election Commission officially approved the organization's observation activities across Azerbaijan on January 19.
Throughout the pre-election period, the IEPF conducted various meetings and training sessions for its observer team in both the capital, Baku, and regional areas. Additionally, long-term observers from the OSCE Bureau of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, along with local NGOs such as "My Voice - Election Monitoring Coalition," "Civil Society Monitoring Coalition," and the National NGO Forum, joined the effort. International observer corps were present at both the main office and the regional offices in Tartar.
On election day, the IEPF managed observation activities from its main office in Baku and regional headquarters in Tartar, Fuzuli, and Beylagan, monitoring the process until the conclusion of the elections. The observer team participated in the opening of 38 stations across 22 different districts. Notably, 10 members of the team observed elections in the liberated territories, including Khankendi, Shusha, Fuzuli, Khojaly, and Aghdara regions.
The IEPF highlighted that, unlike previous elections, there was a significantly higher voter turnout. Observers noted crowds at each of the 38 stations, lasting for at least 2-2.5 hours and sometimes extending to 5-6 hours. Overall, voter turnout was reported to be between 85-90% in most polling stations. The presence of voters, especially in precincts located in IDP settlements and territories freed from occupation, was a noteworthy observation.
According to the IEPF, the election process was conducted in an extremely transparent and objective manner. Conditions for both observers and the media were favorable, ensuring visibility throughout the entire process, from the opening of polling stations to the counting of votes. The IEPF stated that, unlike previous elections, electoral irregularities were minimal, and the elections were organized fairly.
The observers praised the activities of the Central Election Commission, emphasizing the minimized law violations compared to previous years. Active participation, particularly from women and the elderly, was observed from the beginning of the election. The IEPF concluded by commending the election preparation and organization, highlighting the successful and transparent nature of the electoral process.
