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 Azerbaijan portal |
After its independence from the Soviet Union, elections in Azerbaijan have frequently been affected by electoral fraud and other unfair election practices, such as holding opposition politicians as political prisoners. Since 1993, Heydar Aliyev and his son Ilham Aliyev have been continuously in power.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Political scientists characterize Azerbaijan as an electoral authoritarian regime.[8] The ruling New Azerbaijan Party, headed by Ilham Aliyev, controls all the electoral commissions in Azerbaijan.[9]
The President of Azerbaijan is elected for a seven-year term by the people; before a constitutional referendum changed this in 2009, the position was limited to two terms. The National Assembly (Milli Məclis) has 125 members. Before 2005, 100 members were elected for a five-year term in single-seat constituencies and 25 members were elected by proportional representation. Since 2005 all 125 members are elected in single-seat constituencies. Azerbaijan is a one party dominant state. The most recent parliamentary elections were held on Sunday, 9th February 2020. The most recent presidential election was held on Wednesday, 11th April 2018.
On the 7th December 2023, President Aliyev announced a snap presidential election would take place in 2024, rather than holding it in 2025.[10] The election will be held on the 7th February 2024.
