The Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan, chaired by Mazahir Panahov, convened for its final meeting on Sunday to address the results of the presidential election.

The primary agenda of the meeting was to finalize the results of the presidential election, which occurred on February 7, 2024, and to submit the detailed protocol outlining the election outcomes, along with pertinent documents, to the Constitutional Court.

Attended by the authorized representative of the political party, as well as the representative of the international observation mission, non-voting member of the election commission, the observer who received special permission and representatives of the media, the meeting first covered the steps taken towards the preparation and holding of the election and the projects executed.

The meeting participants mentioned the excellent organisation of the election which marked the first time it was conducted across the entirety of Azerbaijan`s sovereign territory, including the liberated lands, held in a free, fair and transparent environment.

The participants underscored that all activities related to the presidential election were meticulously executed in accordance with the Calendar Plan approved by the Central Election Commission (CEC) and the requirements outlined in the Election Code.

They highlighted the pivotal role played by the CEC in ensuring that all necessary measures were carried out promptly and effectively. These measures included clarifying the voters' list, educating election stakeholders, creating equal opportunities for pre-election campaigning, and facilitating the work of observers and media representatives.

Regarding the candidates vying for the presidency, the CEC chairman noted that the process of verifying their documents was conducted transparently and openly. Equal conditions and ample opportunities were provided to all registered candidates to communicate their campaign platforms to voters. Representatives of candidates, political parties, international observation missions, and the media were granted access to observe the process and review documents without any hindrance.

The meeting also highlighted that a vast awareness campaign was carried out for all voters and various projects were implemented to ensure free voting of voters with visually, hearing and mobility impairment. Thus, hundreds of thousands of posters with the election date, voting rules, as well as guidelines and invitations of various types were printed and placed in easily visible places in the territory of all settlements.

Emphasizing the election's transparency, the CEC chairman pointed out the use of webcams installed at 1000 polling stations, allowing internet users to observe the entire voting process online via the CEC website.

It was noted that the election process was monitored by 790 international observers from 72 international organizations and citizens of 89 countries. The election was covered by 217 representatives of 110 foreign media outlets. More than 90,000 local observers representing numerous political parties, registered candidates, non-governmental organizations, civil society institutions and public associations, participated in the election on their own initiative and also observed the election proceedings.

The CEC meeting also centred on high activity of political parties and non-governmental organizations in the election process, noting that more than 51,000 observers of 19 political parties, as well as 83 non-governmental organizations, civil society institutes and about 7,000 observers of public associations were closely engaged in ensuring transparency in the election.

Speakers at the CEC meeting also pointed out that three organizations conducted an "exit poll" during the election, the results of which almost coincided with the official results of the CEC. Based on the observations, the election attended by tens of thousands of observers were evaluated by them as a free, fair, meeting the modern requirements.

The speakers also touched upon the opportunities created for ensuring constitutional rights of citizens in the election, thus, adding that the CEC and the lower election commissions have not received any complaints about any violations of the law during or after the election.

“Voting took place at 6,537 polling stations across 125 constituencies, including 6,319 permanent and temporary 218 stations. 47 of these places were located in the liberated territories, while 49 at embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan across 37 foreign countries,” the CEC underlined.

Mentioning the high voter turnout on the voting day, it was noted that in total, 76.43 percent of the country's voters cast their ballots.

The CEC underscored that the final protocols had been submitted from the precinct election commissions to the district election commissions, and from there to the CEC, within the legally prescribed period and manner. These documents underwent thorough and comprehensive checks.

In conclusion, the CEC Protocol on the outcomes of the presidential election was drafted, signed and approved by all the members of the Commission with the election process wrapped up. In accordance with the requirements of the Election Code, The CEC made a decision on submission of the Protocol detailing the election outcomes, along with relevant documents, to the Constitutional Court and for further publication.