Baku Statement

1.      Upon the invitation of the National Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the delegation of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), composed of AK Party of Republic of Türkiye and Jatiya Party of People’s Republic of Bangladesh, headed by Hon. Afif Demirkiran, Deputy Chairperson of AK Party Foreign Affairs Department, Former Member of Parliament, visited Azerbaijan during February 6-9, 2024 as registered observers to monitor the presidential elections held on February 7, 2024.

2.      On the election day at 07.30, the ICAPP delegation was present at a polling station to observe the preparation and opening of polling station for voting process. We have realized that polling station opened at 08.00, on schedule, PEC was familiar with procedures and voting started efficiently in accordance to regulations. We observed that ballot boxes were empty and properly sealed at the start of voting process.

3.      During the day, the ICAPP delegation visited seven polling stations in different locations, and took note that the election was being conducted in those stations in a free, fair, transparent and in a peaceful manner. Voters were excited to practice their right as evidenced by high voter turnout. The members of the ICAPP delegation did neither find any signs of threatening or restraint on voters during the voting process, nor did experience any hindrance in performing their mission to observe the process. It was also noted that the PEC staff carried out their task in a professional and responsible manner.

4.      The ICAPP delegation also attended the vote-counting process after the conclusion of voting at 20:00. The vote-counting process that the ICAPP delegation observed was perfect and faultless. Registered candidate’s authorized representatives, political parties and blocs of political-party representatives, accredited international and local observers, and mass media representatives were also present during the voting as well as during the vote-counting process. Overall, the presidential election environment was calm, peaceful, transparent and non-violent.

5.      The delegation did not receive any complaints that might adversely affect the process or result of the presidential election. For the peaceful, effective and transparent election process, as well as the high rate of voter turnout, the ICAPP delegation congratulates the Azerbaijani people for such a successful election process.

6.      Including H.E. President İlham Aliyev, a total of seven registered candidates participated in the presidential election. According to the unofficial announcement by the Central Election Commission at 23.00, the voter turnout exceeded 76%, and President İlham Aliyev received 92.1% of the valid votes.

7.      The ICAPP, International Conference of Asian Political Parties, one of the biggest political groupings in the world, representing over 350 political parties from 52 countries in Asia, is strongly committed to promoting democracy, based on a multi-party system. And the members of the ICAPP delegation express their strong solidarity and support to all the political parties in Azerbaijan in their endeavor to further strengthen their democratic institutions through free, fair, and transparent elections.

8.      On the election day, Hon. Afif Demirkıran of Türkiye and Hon. Rana Mohammad Sohail of Bangladesh had an interview with ATV TV channel of Azerbaijan at a polling station during the election and expressed their feelings and findings of the election process. The day after election, on February 08, at 10:00. Hon. Afif Demirkıran and Hon. Rana Mohammad Sohail held a press conference and delivered this Baku Statement to the distinguished Media Representatives.