Abuse of COVID-19 response measures against political opponents
Background: The Operative Headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers was established on February 27 which confirmed the first case of infection in Azerbaijan a day later. Later, a lock-down regime is declared in Azerbaijan. Shops, cafes, restaurants, malls, most of the service industry is closed down, leaving the home is only allowed for a limited […]
Politically motivated arrests and persecution during the lockdown regime
The Operative Headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers was established on February 27 which confirmed the first case of infection in Azerbaijan a day later. A lock-down regime is declared in Azerbaijan. Shops, cafes, restaurants, malls, most of the service industry is closed down, leaving the home is only allowed for a limited period with […]
Pressure against independent observers, candidates and journalists during and since elections
Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center (EMDS) issued a press-release on the physical, psychological and political pressure put on independent observers, candidates, their representatives and journalists since the 9 February early Parliamentary Elections. EMDS notes with regret that observers faced various cases of pressure during the voting and counting processes across the country on Election […]
Preliminary report on 9 February 2020 early Parliamentary Elections
EMDS recorded similar violations on E-Day that have occurred in previous elections – one person voting multiple times, bussing of voters, ballot-box stuffing, and voting without registration. These violations were widespread and deliberate. Turnout figures counted by observers were significantly lower than the figures the CEC officially released on their website throughout E-Day. EMDS believes […]
Widespread violations and significantly lower turnout recorded during the early Parliamentary elections
Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Centre (EMDS) observed yesterday’s early Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan and recorded similar violations on E-Day that have occurred in previous elections – one person voting multiple times, bussing of voters, ballot-box stuffing, and voting without registration. These violations were widespread and appeared to be deliberate actions aimed at breaching the […]
2nd Interim report of 9 February 2020 early Parliamentary Elections
EMDS notes that there have been cases of pressure against civil society, political activists, candidates, and their relatives in both stages of the Parliamentary elections. The government failed to demonstrate any political will to release more than 100 people who are in jail with politically motivated charges as a result of increased political repression over […]
Increased pressure against civil society and candidates ahead of Sunday’s elections
Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center (EMDS) has carried out long-term observation of 9 February 2020 early Parliamentary Elections in two stages: nomination and registration of the candidates and the pre-election agitation campaign. First interim report on the results of the monitoring in the first stage (9 December 2019 – 16 January 2020) was published […]
Restrictions on political freedoms and violations against opposition continue ahead of early Parliamentary elections
(Parliament of Azerbaijan) Source: European Parliament, Flickr Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center (EMDS) has carried out the long-term observation of 9 February 2020 early Parliamentary Elections. EMDS notes, in comparison with the last Parliamentary elections in 2015 there is an increase in political activeness prior to the current elections due to a large […]
Interim report of 9 February 2020 early Parliamentary Elections
EMDS observed during its LTO that restrictions on political freedoms and the freedom of speech continue ahead of the 9 February 2020 early Parliamentary Elections and that the current Election Code does not provide for a genuine competitive environment. Numerous violations concerning the nomination and registration of candidates, predominantly against opposition candidates, were also observed.
Preliminary report on the 23 December Municipal Elections
EMDS’s observation of the municipal elections demonstrates that the elections were held in an environment with severe restriction of political freedoms, lack of equal and authentic opportunities for competition, and widespread violations during voting and vote-counting processes. The elections were marred with the lack of alternative choices and therefore did not adhere to the requirements […]