2010 Azerbaijani parliamentary election

Candidates

The registration of candidates ended on 15 October. Although 1,115 candidates filed application to run in the election, only 690 were given the go ahead by the electoral commission.

Conduct

The elections were observed by monitors from the European Parliament, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe. OSCE stated that the election campaign had been marred by restrictions on media freedom and freedom of assembly. Many opposition candidates were unable to register themselves, thus creating an "uneven playing field", according to the OSCE.

The observation mission of the PACE reported that "the whole election process showed progress in reaching Assembly and OSCE standards and commitments" but that "significant progress would still be necessary to reach an overall electoral and democratic consensus".Observation of the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan (7 November 2010) PACE

Many national and foreign experts found no major improvement in the conduct of these elections. No elections after 1992 was fully in accordance with national and international democratic standards. So far Azerbaijan has been convicted twice of election fraud during the 2005 parliamentary elections by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. In April it was regarding Nemat Aliyev's case, and in September regarding Flora Karimova's.

Prior to the elections, the government amended visa regulations, making it more difficult for election observers and journalists to enter the country.

Results

President Ilham Aliyev's ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party got a majority of 71 out of 125 seats. Nominally independent candidates, who were aligned with the government, received 38 seats, and 10 small opposition or quasi-opposition parties got the remaining 13 seats. Civic Solidarity retained its 3 seats, and Ana Vaten kept the 2 seats they had in the previous legislature; the Democratic Reforms party, Great Creation, the Movement for National Rebirth, Umid, Civic Unity, Civic Welfare, Adalet (Justice), and the Popular Front of United Azerbaijan, most of which were represented in the previous parliament, won one seat a piece.

For the first time in Azerbaijani history, not a single candidate from the main opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front (AXCP) or Musavat parties was elected. The opposition Musavat decried the election as "illegitimate...[the] events had nothing to do with elections, it was the most shameful kind of election." Ruling president, Aliyev, however, said the election was fair.

Reactions

Western observers The elections were observed by monitors from the European Parliament, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe. The OSCE reported that on election day there were cases of ballot-stuffing.

References

References

1. (2010-05-06). "Azerbaijan goes to polls on 7 November". News.Az.
2. Levy, Clifford. (8 November 2010). "Ruling Party Takes Majority of Seats in Elections". New York Times.
3. [http://www.news.az/articles/politics/24537/ Candidates still being registered for parliamentary elections] News.az, October 13, 2010
4. [https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/afet/dv/201/201011/20101118_azerbaijan_en.pdf Statement of preliminary findings and conclusions] OCSE ODIHR
5. The pre-election atmosphere was tense with the media complaining of pressure and intransparent financial transactions of state officials.[http://www.rferl.org/content/Aliyevs_Azerbaijani_Empire_Grows_As_Daughter_Joins_The_Game/2127137.html Empire Grows] Radio Free Europe Feature, August 13, 2010
6. [http://www.ifex.org/azerbaijan/2010/07/23/agaliyev_harassed/ Human rights defender harassed for publishing report on press violations] IFEX, July 23, 2010
7. [http://www.boston.com/ae/media/articles/2010/02/13/azerbaijan_lawmakers_pass_law_restricting_media/ Azerbaijan passes law further restricting media] Boston Globe, February 13, 2010
8. (2010-04-09). "European Court Finds Azerbaijan Guilty Of Election Fraud - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 2010". Rferl.org.
9. (2010-09-30). "European Court of Human Rights makes decision on Flora Kerimova's application - apa © 2010". apa.az.
10. [https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Azerbaijan/Azerbaijan-Come-vote-elect-82518 Azerbaijan: "Come, vote, elect"] Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso
11. "Caucasus Report".
12. "Monitors criticise Azeri elections". [[Al-Jazeera English]].