ODIHR opens election observation mission in Azerbaijan

BAKU, 29 December 2023 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 7 February early presidential election in Azerbaijan, following an official invitation from the national authorities.

The mission is headed by Eoghan Murphy and consists of a core team of 11 international experts based in Baku and 26 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 5 January. ODIHR also plans to request 280 short-term observers, to arrive several days before election day.

The mission will assess the conduct of the election for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation.

Observers will closely monitor all key aspects of the election. This includes the conduct of the campaign, also on social networks, the work of the election administration at all levels, election- related legislation and its implementation, respect for fundamental freedoms, media coverage and the resolution of election disputes. They will also assess the implementation of previous ODIHR election recommendations.

Meetings with representatives of state authorities and political parties, civil society, the media and the international community form an integral part of the observation.

An interim report will be published during the course of the observation to update the public and the media. The day after the election, a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be presented at a press conference. A final report with an assessment of the entire election process and containing recommendations will be published some months after the election.

For further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in the country, please visit: https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/azerbaijan

Media contacts:

Egor Tilpunov, Media Analyst: egor.tilpunov@odihr.az or +994 55 220 16 20

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson: +48 609 522 266 (Warsaw mobile), or katya.andrusz@odihr.pl