Baku Statement

September 1, 2024

Azerbaijan Elections ICAPP Observation Mission

(Baku, September 2, 2024) 

Justice and Development Party Vice Chairman of Foreign Affairs İbrahim Halil Korkmaz, who came to Azerbaijan as part of the ICAPP delegation to observe the elections to the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, commented on the election process noting that “the elections were fair, transparent and peaceful.” 

Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Vice Chairman of Foreign Affairs İbrahim Halil Korkmaz arrived in Baku as part of the delegation of the Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) to observe the parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan on September 1, 2024. 

Noting that the parliamentary elections were held for the first time in 54 electoral districts in the liberated Karabakh territories, Mr. Korkmaz said that the elections took place in a very positive atmosphere with approximately 6500 ballot boxes set up across Azerbaijan and completed in 125 districts across the country. 

Expressing his great pleasure to follow the parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan as a member and representative of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Türkiye, Mr. Korkmaz expressed “heartfelt congratulations to Azerbaijan for the parliamentary elections completed in a peaceful and transparent process and in accordance with the procedures” and wished the election results to be auspicious for the people of Azerbaijan. 

Speech of Mr. Ibrahim Halil Korkmaz: 

“Dear Members of the Press, 

I greet you all with respect and affection, expressing my happiness to be in Azerbaijan, our beloved Azerbaijan, where we feel at home, our homeland. Upon the invitation of the Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan, I, as the Vice Chairman of Foreign Affairs of the Justice and Development Party, which has achieved great democratic achievements, changes and progress in our country, Türkiye, together with Throng Chevyeasna (Torung Çeyviyesna), the representative of the Cambodian People's Party; 

We visited Baku on behalf of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP). 

ICAPP, also known as the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, is an important organization that aims to enable political parties, which are the leading actors of democratic development in the Asian region, to cooperate with each other at the regional and global level, regardless of their thoughts and ideologies. 

As one of the largest political groups in Asia, ICAPP brings together international political parties from 23 member countries of its Standing Committee and more than 350 participating political parties from nearly 50 countries. I am very pleased to closely follow the election of 125 deputies to the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, who will represent the voice of the Azerbaijani people for the next 5 years. 

Elections are the lifeblood of democracies and a necessity of being a prosperous nation and state. As a matter of fact, the pulse that provides vitality as a nation finds its expression through elections with the goals of stability, change and renewal. 

The voting process, through which citizens make their voices heard and express their will, is an inviolable right. It is not only a right, but more importantly, a great responsibility. 

In this sense, it is of great importance that the election process is fair and transparent. 

Therefore, we sincerely congratulate the dear Azerbaijani people for this election process. 

With your permission, I would like to briefly share my thoughts on the election process. 

First of all, I would like to emphasize that the parliamentary elections held on September 1, 2024, took place for the first time in 54 electoral districts in the liberated Karabakh territories, allowing us to witness a meaningful process and make us proud. 

When we look at the results of the elections, the brotherly Azerbaijani people have crowned their victory with a great political participation by demonstrating a high participation of approximately 50% in the liberated Karabakh territories, especially in the city of Khankendi. 

Approximately 6500 ballot boxes were set up in the elections held in 125 districts across Azerbaijan; 990 candidates competed for 125 seats in the National Assembly. 

On election day, after the polling started at 08.00 am, the ICAPP delegation split into two groups and visited a total of 16 polling stations in different constituencies to observe the process. 

We observed that there was a complete preparation for citizens to vote. 

Despite the Sunday holiday and the extremely hot weather, we observed a high turnout and the voting process was carried out efficiently according to the set schedule and the procedures of the Central Election Board. 

The ICAPP delegation did not observe any negative findings or restrictions on voters or ballots during the voting process, which took place in a very positive atmosphere. 

Observers on duty throughout the election performed their duties in a professional manner and acted with the utmost sensitivity. 

The voting process, which continued with the participation of approximately 112 thousand local observers as well as nearly 600 international observers from 51 countries, ended at 19.00. 

Across Azerbaijan, the political turnout was approximately 38%, and according to the first unofficial results, the New Azerbaijan Party, led by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Honorable President Ilham Aliyev, won 68 parliamentary seats and emerged as the first party in the elections. 

44 independent deputies had the right to represent independently in the Parliament. Around 10 political parties also completed the elections by winning different number of seats. 

On behalf of ICAPP, I sincerely congratulate Azerbaijan on the parliamentary elections, which were held in a free, fair and transparent process and in accordance with the procedures. 

Dear Members of the Press; 

I would like to express my satisfaction with the diligence and sensitive approach of our colleagues who accompanied us as participating organizations and delegates throughout the process and I would like to thank them once again through you. 

It is also a source of pride for us that Azerbaijan will host the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), which is a very important international organization and is planned to take place between 11-24 November 2024. 

Such organizations that increase Azerbaijan's representation and visibility in various international initiatives are very pleasing. I congratulate them. 

I pray to God Almighty that the election results will bring good to the beloved nation and strong state of our beloved Azerbaijan.”