President Aliyev Votes in the Elections of the Head of Azerbaijan in Karabakh Khankendi
Khankendi, Karabakh: The current President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, along with his wife Mehriban Aliyeva and other family members, cast their votes at the polling station in Khankendi, signaling the commencement of the early presidential elections in Azerbaijan, according to reports from Sputnik Azerbaijan.
The message confirmed that President Aliyev and his family members exercised their voting rights at Polling Station No. 14 in Electoral District No. 122 located in Khankendi, Karabakh.
Today, extraordinary presidential elections are underway throughout Azerbaijan. With the opening of the country’s 6,537 polling stations and its diplomatic missions worldwide at 8:00 AM local time (7:00 AM Moscow time), approximately 6 million eligible voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots.
These elections are notable because it is the first time that Azerbaijan has achieved control over Karabakh, enabling presidential elections to be held across the entirety of the recognized territory. Notably, 23,000 individuals residing in previously uncontrolled territories in these areas are participating in the voting process. Furthermore, to facilitate voting by Azerbaijani citizens abroad, 49 polling stations have been established in 37 countries globally.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) registered a total of seven candidates for the presidency. Firstly, the incumbent president, Ilham Aliyev, running under the ruling New Azerbaijan Party. Additionally, self-nominated candidates Zahid Oruj and Fuad Aliyev, as well as Razi Nurullayev from the National Front Party, Fazil Mustafa from the Great Creation Party, Elshad Musayev from the Great Azerbaijan Party, and Gudrat Hasanguliyev from the Popular Front of Integral Azerbaijan party are contending for the top position. It is worth noting that the President of Azerbaijan is elected for a term of 7 years.
The Azerbaijani capital, Baku, intends to announce the initial election data two hours after the closure of polling stations. Preliminary voting results are expected to be released the following day, providing insight into the outcome and the chosen leader of Azerbaijan.
The early presidential elections hold significant importance for the country’s future direction and leadership. As Azerbaijan navigates a period of change following the recent territorial gains in Karabakh, these elections will play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s political landscape. The results will not only determine the country’s leadership but will also impact various policy areas, including the ongoing efforts to stabilize the region and strengthen international relations.
As the closing of polls approaches and the tabulation begins, all eyes are on the official announcements from the Central Election Commission to unveil the next president of Azerbaijan. The outcome of these elections holds the potential to shape the country’s trajectory and have implications extending beyond its borders.