Presidential elections begin in Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan, the election featuring 7 candidates, including incumbent President Ilham Aliyev, began at 08:00 local time.

A total of 6,500 polling stations have been set up both domestically and abroad for the presidential election.

According to the latest data, there are 6.5 million registered voters in the country. Azerbaijani citizens living abroad will be able to cast their votes at polling stations established at Azerbaijani embassies in their respective countries.

The election is being monitored by approximately 800 foreign observers from various international organizations and countries, as well as 90,000 domestic observers. In addition to the local press, nearly 200 foreign journalists are also covering the election.

Voting will conclude at 19:00 local time.

Competing in the election alongside the New Azerbaijan Party candidate, incumbent President Aliyev, are National Front Party Chairman Razi Nurullayev, Great Order Party Chairman Fazil Mustafa, Great Azerbaijan Party Chairman Elshad Musayev, Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Chairman Gudrat Hasanguliyev, and independent candidates Zahid Oruj and Fuad Aliyev.

POLLING STATIONS ESTABLISHED IN REGIONS FORMERLY UNDER ARMENIAN OCCUPATION

Polling stations have also been set up in regions that Azerbaijan has liberated from Armenian occupation. Thus, for the first time in 30 years, elections are being held across all of Azerbaijan's territories.

In Shusha, the symbolic city of Karabakh, as well as in Khankendi—which was once used as a "capital" by the separatist Armenian administration—Khojaly, Khojavend, Aghdara, Aghdam, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli, Lachin, and Kalbajar, more than 22,000 voters will be able to cast their ballots to elect the President of Azerbaijan.

In Azerbaijan, where presidential elections are held every 7 years, the last election took place on April 11, 2018. Azerbaijani President Aliyev had issued a decree for the early presidential election to be held on February 7.

News Source: AA