Mazakhir Panahov assured the OSCE ODIHR mission of ensuring the "transparency" of the elections

Baku/28.12.23/Turan: On December 28, representatives of the monitoring mission of the Bureau for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE, headed by Eoghan Murphy, met with Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan Mazahir Panakhov.

They were interested in the preparations for the elections, the events being implemented and planned in connection with this.

Panahov said that "consistent and systematic work is being carried out in connection with the elections." He also noted that 15 candidates have already been nominated, including 5 by political parties and 10 more on their own initiative.

Panahov said that members of the monitoring mission can observe the verification of voter signatures and other procedures at any time in connection with the elections.  He assured that all stages of the elections would be "transparent". Mazahir Panahov, 72, has been the head of the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan since 2000. Each time, he was appointed a member of the “Yeni Azerbaijan” parliamentary majority party. The official launch of the monitoring mission will be announced at a press conference on December 29. Early presidential elections are scheduled for February 7.

The opposition “Musavat” party refused to participate in the elections, stating that there were no conditions for fair political competition. The Popular Front Party announced a boycott of the elections for the same reason. –06B-