Holding early presidential elections in Azerbaijan despite the restrictions of Corona

According to the international group Tasnim News Agency, the early presidential elections of Azerbaijan in It will be held on February 7, 2024 in this country. In this regard, the process of introducing candidates has started on December 9. The acceptance of documents will end on January 7.

However, as of March 2020, the quarantine declared in the Republic of Azerbaijan due to the epidemic of the Corona virus continues. With the decision of the Cabinet on December 11, the quarantine in this country (for the next round) was extended until April 2, 2024. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared long ago that the epidemic is over.

There are restrictions on travel abroad, especially within the land borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan. According to some experts, all this can have a negative impact on the election process.

Molahat Ebrahim Qezi, a member of the Health and Treatment Commission of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, said in an interview with Turan news agency: Quarantine is no obstacle for It will not create elections. The quarantine regime is so relaxed that there are no problems. Even the wedding ceremony is held for less than 500 people. 1402/09/21/14020921100044144289658710.jpg”/>

According to this parliamentarian, there are only a few conditions left for the quarantine: lately you see announcements about some kind of pandemic in the world be released. They maintained the quarantine regime to prevent some diseases.

Ebrahim Ghazi noted: Free assembly is not prohibited due to the quarantine regime, all meetings and gatherings are held. Therefore, there is no problem with the election process and holding election campaigns.

Quarantine restricts the freedom of movement of people

Bashir Sulaimanli, head of the Institute of Civil Rights, says: the quarantine period should not be extended so that people can be freed from shackles during the elections and land borders should be opened.

He believes that although this has no direct legal impact on elections, it generally increases socio-economic tensions and restricts people’s freedom of movement.

This election expert continues his comments as follows: In consulates and embassies there are places for Azerbaijani citizens living abroad to vote. But it may not be available for everyone. It is better for people to come to their country and vote. Many people want to return to the country to live temporarily or permanently, but due to the closure of land borders, the possibility of returning is limited. The choices are very limited. That is, opportunities for activities related to basic freedoms are very limited, civil society activities are limited and free media are stifled. In addition, elections are scheduled within a limited time frame. There is a lack of time for the main political actors to participate in the elections. In the background of all this, the closing of the borders increases the tension.

It should be noted that the last presidential election of Azerbaijan was held on April 11, 2018. According to this law, the next presidential election was supposed to be held in 2025. With the last amendment of the Constitution of Azerbaijan in 2016, the presidential term is 7 years. Previously, this period was 5 years.

The last presidential and parliamentary elections of Azerbaijan were also held early. Officials explained this to speed up reforms. According to the opposition, the authorities carried out these elections in a hurry and prematurely with many frauds. But the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan announced that the will of the people was expressed in both elections.

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