At the invitation of the Government and the Parliament (Milli Majlis) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the group of parliamentarians of the Member States of the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM took part in the observation of the extraordinary elections of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan on February 9, 2020.

The group included the Deputies of the Parliament of Georgia Mr G. Benashvili, Mr T. Gunava, Mr G. Mosidze, the Deputy of the Parliament of Moldova Mr A. Zhizdan, the Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Mr S. Yurash and Mr M. Zablotskii. The group was accompanied by the GUAM Secretary General Mr A. Efendiev.

The group visited the following polling stations: № 13 – the 23rd Nasimi-Sabail constituency of Baku; № 27 – the 17th Yasamal constituency of Baku; №№ 18, 19 and 8 – the 15th Yasamal constituency of Baku; № 15 – the 22nd Nasimi-2 constituency of Baku; № 27 – the 20th Nasimi-Sabail constituency of Baku.

Based on the results of observation, the Group of the GUAM observers decided to make the following Statement:

The elections of the Deputies of the Republic of Azerbaijan were organized and conducted in compliance with international obligations and standards of democratic elections, including the obligations and the standards of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, in accordance with the national legislation as well as the rules and procedures elaborated by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the polling stations, conditions were provided for the free expression of the will of citizens. Both the members of precinct election commissions and public observers at the polling stations represented various political parties, public organizations or were independent people. In general, the GUAM Observer Group has no significant remarks on the activities of election commissions, as well as on the organization and process of voting at the polling stations.

The elections have been held in a calm atmosphere, in the spirit of competition and, in general, can be evaluated as free and fair.

Baku, February 9, 2020