The United States said it shares the observations and concerns voiced by the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institution that the early parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan on Sunday were “devoid of real competition amid diminishing respect for fundamental freedoms.”
“And we urge Azerbaijan to implement the OSCE’s previous recommendations as well as ones that we understand to be forthcoming, and enable the exercise of fundamental freedoms by its people consistent with its constitution and international commitments,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Azerbaijan’s early parliamentary elections did not offer voters genuine political alternatives and took place within a legal framework overly restrictive of fundamental freedoms and the media, international observers said in a statement on Sunday.
As expected, Аzerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), led by President Ilham Aliyev, won a majority in the snap parliamentary election on Sunday.
“These elections took place in a restrictive political and legal environment, the consequence of which was a lack of political pluralism coupled with the subdued and low-key campaign, all of which undermined the electoral process,” said Michael Creed, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observers. “Furthermore, the dominance of ruling party affiliates within election commissions, alongside restrictions on access for independent domestic observers, run contrary to the principles of transparency and inclusivity, which are at the heart of democratic elections.”
“In these elections, the lack of genuine choice and engagement that led to pervasive political apathy among the population was quite evident,” said Lucie Potůčková, Head of the OSCE PA delegation. “Equally, the alarming trends of ongoing restrictions on media outlets and increased pressure on non-governmental organizations, including arbitrary arrests, decisively stifle political discourse. Without substantial reforms and change, these issues will continue to undermine democracy and rule of law in the country.”
“There was regrettably no genuine political pluralism in these elections, with numerous candidates who wished to participate facing serious obstacles, election commissions that lacked impartiality, and restrictions that made the work of many citizen observers impossible,” said Ditmir Bushati, Head of ODIHR’s election observation mission. “Despite the efficiency of the process, these conditions did not allow elections to be held in line with democratic standards. We stand ready to support the authorities in implementing our long-standing recommendations to improve the overall process, for the good of all citizens.”
While the law allows for citizen and international election observers, the vast majority of citizen observers were nominated by the ruling party and affiliated candidates, raising concerns about the access of independent observers to the election process. At the same time, restrictive legal provisions meant that well-known citizen election observer groups remained unregistered and deprived of funding, while some prominent members are under arrest or detention.
