Azerbaijan’s September 1 elections: political climate heat up
Published: 17 July 2024 18:02
The political climate in Azerbaijan is heating up as the country approaches early parliamentary elections scheduled for September 1.
The decision to move the elections up from their original November date has sparked significant backlash from opposition groups and civil society, who question the motives and legitimacy behind the government’s actions.
The National Council of Democratic Forces (NDF), a prominent opposition coalition, has announced a boycott of the elections. In a strongly worded statement, the NDF criticized President Ilham Aliyev’s administration for undermining democratic processes and manipulating electoral outcomes to maintain power. They argued that the decision to reschedule the elections was made unilaterally and without clear justification, other than to coincide with the COP 29 event, a reasoning they dismissed as frivolous.
“It seems that Ilham Aliyev, who turned the parliament into his notary office, made such a decision with motives known only to himself and his close circle,” the NDF stated. They accused the government of destroying the integrity of the election process and eroding public trust. The NDF also highlighted that the country has little to no election atmosphere, with significant barriers to free media, civil society, and political opposition.
The statement noted that there are currently 300 former political prisoners, and the election commissions remain under strict government control, facilitating potential fraud. The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs has openly declared that the election will be under total police control, further casting doubt on the election’s fairness.
Political commentator Rauf Mirgadirov echoed these sentiments, calling the upcoming elections a “spectacle” with predetermined results. He highlighted the severe limitations faced by opposition parties and the indifferent attitude of the populace towards the electoral process. Mirgadirov also pointed out the disparity between Azerbaijan’s political climate and democratic norms observed in countries like France, where political accountability is significantly higher.
In contrast, some figures, such as Bashir Süleymanli, head of the Institute of Civil Rights, argue that participation in elections, despite their flaws, is crucial for maintaining political activity and engagement. Süleymanli believes that even within restricted opportunities, political parties should strive to express their will and encourage public participation.
Meanwhile, the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) has finalized its list of candidates for the elections. Notable exclusions from the list include Vasif Talibov, former chairman of the Nakhchivan Supreme Assembly, and Bakhtiyar Sadigov, long-time editor-in-chief of the “Azerbaijan” newspaper. New candidates, such as Vugar Rahimzadeh, chairman of the YAP Khatai district organization, have been nominated, reflecting some change within the party ranks.
On the other hand, the Musavat Party, another key opposition group, also decided to abstain from the elections. Party leaders Isa Gambar and Arif Hajili cited the majoritarian nature of the elections and their focus on organizing candidate propaganda work as reasons for not running personally.
This election comes after the Azerbaijani Parliament’s request to President Aliyev for dissolution and the call for early elections, a move formalized by the President’s order on June 28. As of mid-July, 431 candidates have been nominated, indicating a contentious and crowded race ahead. With significant opposition boycotts, allegations of electoral manipulation, and a reshuffling within the ruling party, the elections are set against skepticism and controversy.