Presidential Election, 9 October 2013

Following an official invitation from the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and based on the findings and conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission, the OSCE/ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) on 29 August 2013 to the presidential election on 9 October 2013. In the case of a second round of the election, the EOM may remain in country to continue its observation.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM and the OSCE Office in Baku operate separately under their specific mandates.

Long-term Observation

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Tana de Zulueta, consists of 13 international experts based in Baku. In addition, 30 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 11 September 2013.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM will assess the presidential election for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections, as well as with domestic legislation. Observers will closely monitor the candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

Election Day

The OSCE/ODIHR will request 280 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 9 October election. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after the election, ODIHR will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the observation mission.

Previous elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed eight elections in Azerbaijan since 1995, including the most recent 2008 presidential election and the 2010 parliamentary elections.