Are Election Candidates in Azerbaijan 'Appointed'?

Claims are emerging that candidates in Azerbaijan's parliamentary elections are effectively "approved" by the authorities. According to these claims, the government facilitates the participation of opposition forces it deems necessary in the elections, while excluding those it does not want in a "coordinated manner."

Such claims circulating on social networks are supported by the fact that some candidates have recently withdrawn their candidacies. Recently, VI convocation parliament member Vahid Ahmedov, chairman of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party Sardar Jalaloglu, and president of the Constitution Research Foundation Alimammad Nuriyev have all withdrawn their candidacies. However, none of these individuals have made any statements about being pressured. Some attribute their withdrawal to family advice, while others cite a realistic assessment of the situation.

In previous elections, some independent analysts claimed that the electoral system in Azerbaijan is defunct, with the government determining who is elected and who is not. "The government was interested in having certain opposition forces, opponents, and critics participate in the process to give elections a democratic appearance," they emphasized.

Officials generally state that there are all opportunities for free and fair elections in the country.

Sardar Jalaloglu, chairman of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party, disagrees with these opinions and explains his withdrawal by the ongoing processes in the country: “There are so many serious internal and external threats in Azerbaijan that if certain tensions arise during the election process, national interests could be at real risk. Considering this, I decided that I should withdraw my candidacy. If I were to participate in the elections, I would have gone all the way and fought."

Jalaloglu noted that he withdrew his candidacy voluntarily and without any pressure: “We have a cooperation platform with the government. One of the main principles of that platform is agreement. If the government had offered me not to participate in the elections and provided convincing evidence, I would have agreed with the government. But there was no such offer.”

So far, it has not been possible to obtain a comment from the Central Election Commission on this issue. However, Elman Nasirov, a member of the Inspection Commission of the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party and VI convocation parliament member, told Turan that claims about someone's candidacy being "approved" or some candidates withdrawing under pressure have no basis: “Has anyone seen a candidate who, after filing their candidacy, later withdrew it and claimed that someone pressured or influenced them? There is no such fact, nor can there be.”

Nasirov believes that the reasons for individuals withdrawing their candidacies are quite simple: “Initially, they get euphoric, submit their candidacies, and then see that they face very strong candidates from the Yeni Azerbaijan Party or independents. In many cases, withdrawing their candidacy is better than participating in the election process and experiencing the pain of defeat.”

According to him, the sole reason is to avoid unnecessary energy and financial expenses: “The reason for withdrawing candidacies is to avoid wasting energy and financial resources.”

Currently, over 20 parties are active in Azerbaijan. Only the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) has declared a boycott of the elections, stating that there is no condition for free and fair elections. Another opposition force, the Musavat Party, has participated in the elections but its current and former leaders have not filed their candidacies. Musavat’s chairman Isa Gambar told AzadliqRadiosu that authoritarian rule prevails in Azerbaijan and no free and fair elections have been held under this regime: “The government is effectively engaged in the annulment of elections. They want only their own appointed people to be in parliament, and do not want even independent candidates to have a place.”

Gambar believes that the government wants the elections to occur as a quiet, insignificant event, and to avoid any contradictions or serious protests related to the elections: “Of course, this is contrary to Azerbaijan's interests. That is why we, as the Musavat Party, believe we must strive to change this reality created by the government.”

Gambar noted that since 1993, Musavat has never been allowed into parliament. He said he has participated in all parliamentary elections and is confident in his party’s ability to win them.

Gambar mentioned that Musavat currently has 30 candidates: “I don’t know how many of them will be allowed to participate in the elections, although most are capable of winning in their constituencies. But whether these individuals will be recognized as winners in parliamentary elections, I have no idea. Unfortunately, in this parliament, who sits is determined not by voters' will, but by the government's will.”

Political commentator Nesimi Memmedli told AzadliqRadiosu that the government has completely blocked the creation of a political process and citizen activism in the country: “To prevent political activism, a limited framework for candidacies has been set. On September 1, there will only be a semblance of voting in a completely passive environment. Those who will receive mandates from each constituency, even second-place holders, have already been predetermined.”

The expert believes that under such conditions, even being a candidate is under serious government control: “Preventive measures have been taken to avoid complaints to the European Court.”

He believes that regardless of what individuals who withdraw their candidacies say, it is done under government pressure: “None of the candidates who could create even a slight activity in the constituencies have had their candidacies registered or have been forced to withdraw. Public and political participation in the country has effectively been abolished.”