Credit:Flag courtesy of ITA’s Flags of All Countries used with permission.

Election Date: November 6, 2005

At stake: National Assembly

Background

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, lawmakers in Azerbaijan voted to restore the area's independence. Former Communist Party leader Ayaz Mutallibov became president, while Haidar Aliyev—who had coordinated the operations of the KGB in the region—took over as leader in the exclave of Nakhichevan.

A war broke out in the early 1990s between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The area is controlled by ethnic Armenians—who consider it an independent republic—but is claimed by Azerbaijan as part of its territory. The hostilities ended with an unofficial truce negotiated by Russia in 1994.

Aliyev took over as Azerbaijan's president in 1993. The election was boycotted by Abulfaz Elchibey, who had substituted Mutallibov as head of state. A year later, three members of a special police force were arrested after two political assassinations. Aliyev said the incident amounted to an attempted coup, and declared a state of emergency.

In 1994, a Western consortium signed a $7.4 billion U.S. contract to develop Azerbaijan's offshore oil and gas reserves. A pipeline that carries oil all the way to the Turkish port of Ceyhan began operating in May 2005.

In 1995, Aliyev's New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) won a majority of the seats in the country's first-ever multi-party legislative ballot. The contest failed to meet international standards, according to international organizations. The 1998 presidential election and the 2001 legislative election would also be criticized as "irregular" by observers.

In August 2002, voters supported a series of constitutional amendments in a referendum, as Aliyev seemed poised to seek a new term in office. The authoritarianism of the Aliyev regime was condemned by human rights organizations, and the Council of Europe chided Azerbaijan for holding political prisoners. Health problems forced the 80-year-old president to eventually withdraw from the contest.

In August 2003, the National Assembly appointed Aliyev's son Ilham—who had already been registered as a presidential candidate—as the country's prime minister. The younger Aliyev had served as the vice-president of Azerbaijan's state-run oil company, and was elected as vice-president of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly.

In October 2003, Ilham Aliyev was elected with 77.97 per cent of all cast ballots. The election was once again criticized by international monitors.

Click here for 2003 Azerbaijan Presidential Election Tracker

2005 National Assembly Election

The ballot to renew Azerbaijan's legislative branch was scheduled for Nov. 6. The election was regarded as a key test for the former Soviet Republic, after fraud allegations led to power shifts in Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.

On May 11, Ilham Aliyev issued a decree which outlined a series of measures meant to improve the democratic process. The policies included raising "the professionalism and competence" of election officials and conducting exit polls. No changes were implemented in the provision that sets the structure of the election commission, where the authorities hold a majority over the opposition.

On Jul. 5, the campaign period officially began. Each candidate had to submit the signatures of 450 supporters in order to become registered.

On Jul. 13, Azerbaijani media outlets signed an ethics code, which aims to promote constructive and independent news coverage during the campaign. In accordance with existing regulations, only parties or alliances with at least 60 registered candidates can have free access to state-run national television for promotion.

On Jul. 15, former U.S. state secretary Madeleine Albright expressed confidence in the democratic process, saying, "The election campaigns have already started and I believe the decree signed by president Ilham Aliyev will play a basic role for holding a free and fair election."

On Jul. 26, the U.S. announced plans to finance an exit poll, in order to help Azerbaijan conduct a free and fair ballot.

On Sept. 5, exiled former president Ayaz Mutallibov and former National Assembly speaker Rasul Guliyev were registered as candidates in the parliamentary ballot. Prosecutors said both politicians could be arrested if they return to Azerbaijan.

Also on Sept. 5, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) chairman Dmitrij Rupel expressed satisfaction with the process, declaring, "The Azerbaijan authorities are taking steps to fulfil the recommendations of international organizations and can resolve all outstanding problems by November. Azerbaijan's democratization is ongoing."
 
On Sept. 11, thousands of opposition supporters demanded a free and fair ballot in Baku. The protesters wore orange-coloured clothing, a reference to the successful campaign of Ukraine's Viktor Yushchenko.

On Sept. 15, Islamic Party leader Hajiaga Nuriev was banned from contention by the Central Election Commission (CEC). While Nuriev sought to register as a contender for an opposition bloc, the CEC claimed that his ties to the Islamic Party contravene regulations that do not allow religious activists to run for public office.

On Sept. 23, the independent Prognoz centre announced that it would hold an exit poll on the day of the legislative ballot.

The governing New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) included first lady Mehriban Aliyeva in its list of contenders, along with Aydin Mirzazade, Ahad Abiyev, Musa Musayev and Jalal Aliyev—the current president's uncle. Mirzazade said the slate of candidates "includes former parliamentarians and new names as well as those who have great merits within the party. If the list would include only nationally known personalities, it would prevent regional party members from getting a chance to become better known."

The opposition Azadliq (Freedom) alliance encompasses the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AKC), the Musavat (Equality) party and the Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP). AKC deputy chairman Fuad Mustafayev explained the rationale for the coalition, declaring, "The long-awaited alliance is designed for long-term purposes. We had to move from an autonomous existence to co-existence."

The New Policy (YeS) bloc was formed in April, with Eldar Namazov as its leader. The group presented its policy platform s titled "From Authoritarianism to Democracy, From Corruption to a Legal State," which severely criticizes Aliyev's regime. The YeS list includes former president Ayaz Mutallibov.

On Oct. 6, observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) opened their mission headquarters in Baku. Azerbaijan's first deputy prime minister Abbas Abbasov said the CIS team "will be monitoring the election campaign in all regions and cities."

On Oct. 17, Azerbaijan's state television channels began to censor paid political advertisements, and reduced the airtime allotted to opposition candidates.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times released on Oct. 18, Aliyev criticized the opposition for attempting to recreate the success of Viktor Yushchenko in Ukraine, declaring, "They put this funny dress on themselves, which has been already used in another place, and they think that by putting on these orange t-shirts they become great revolutionaries. (...) I regret that we have such an opposition because this is a shame for the country also. (...) Their goal became to be shown by various TV channels and to find their names in the world press and to try to present Azerbaijan as a country where freedom of assembly is not provided."

On Oct. 19, the Azeri government ordered the arrest of economy minister Farhad Aliyev and his brother Rafik Aliyev—the owner of oil company Azpetrol—on charges of attempting to plan a coup along with exiled opposition leader Guliyev. The two men—who are not related to the president—denied the allegations.

On Oct. 25, Aliyev allowed the CEC to "quickly look at the question of marking voters' fingers" during the election. Azerbaijani officials had previously referred to the measure—which is common practice in many democracies—as an insult.

On Oct. 31, Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Azerbaijan's government of "systematic intimidation and violence," adding that actions against opposition supporters have "extinguished the possibility of free and fair elections." HRW Europe and Central Asia director Holly Cartner declared, "People cannot vote freely in an election when the authorities are beating up opposition supporters and preventing candidates from campaigning."

On Nov. 3, Aliyev warned government ministers not to side with the opposition, declaring, "Those who want to get into politics, please stand up and go. The people elected me and I answer to them. But you answer to me."

On Nov. 4, two opposition parties reported that their campaign managers—Gabil Mamedzayev of the AKC and Faramaz Javadov of the ADP—had been arrested. Popular Front member Murad Gassanly called the situation "a clear indication that they are worried that (AKC leader) Ali Kerimli might get through and that they are trying to disrupt the last days of our campaign."

On Nov. 5, CEC chairman Mazahir Panahov said the election would go on as scheduled.

The ballot took place on Nov. 6. Despite assurances from the president that the parliamentary elections would meet international standards for fairness and transparency, there were widespread reports of inappropriate or irregular activities during the campaigning period and on election day.

With more than 665 observers sent to more than half of the country's polling stations, the OSCE released a statement the day after the election saying, "The observers assessed the ballot counting as bad or very bad in 43 percent of counts observed. They noted a wide range of serious violations, including tampering with result protocols, intimidation of observers, and unauthorized persons directing the process."

Opposition blocs have vowed to protest the results in peaceful rallies. AKC leader Kerimli declared, "It will be the start of continual protests until the election is overturned."

Officially, the ruling YAP party won 56 seats, while only six candidates from the opposition bloc—five from Musavat and one for the Popular Front—were elected. Turnout was tabled at 42.2 per cent.

On Nov. 7, Aliyev acknowledged that the elections may have fallen short of the democratic standard that he had pledged would be met.  He declared on state television that he would "not allow officials' bad behaviour to cast a shadow on these elections."

Also on Nov. 7, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov admitted that violations did occur in Azerbaijan, but added, "They were not so serious as to prompt us to call into question the outcome." Russian president Vladimir Putin congratulated Aliyev on "the successful completion of parliament elections."

On Nov. 10, in a conscious emulation of the "Orange Revolution" that forced a re-vote in Ukraine, opposition leaders draped themselves in orange along with some 15,000 supporters and took to the street peacefully to decry the official results.

The government, facing extensive protests within the country and intense international criticism, has taken steps to reverse some of the more obviously fraudulent results. Tallies for at least eight of the parliamentary elections have been annulled as the government attempted to salvage come credibility both for itself and for the electoral process.

On Nov. 12, Aliyev said the chances of a popular revolt "happening in Azerbaijan are zero." On Nov. 13, a new protest in Baku drew an estimated 20,000 people. The crowd waved orange-coloured flags. Kerimli declared, "Let no-one think that this struggle will end. We will wage it until the end."

On Nov. 26, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters in Baku. The problems began when the demonstrators decided to extend their protest beyond the two-hour limit set by authorities. Both the police and the protesters blamed each other for the squabble.

Initial reports from the CEC suggested that 62 per cent of the voters supported the YAP, but an exit poll by Mitofsky International and Edison Media Research poll suggested the governing party would actually drop from 75 to 56 seats in the 130-member legislature, with Azadliq electing 12 lawmakers.

Political Players

President: Ilham Aliyev
Prime minister: Artur Rasi-Zade - YAP

The president is elected to a five-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Milli Meclisi (National Assembly) has 125 members, 100 members elected to five-year terms in single-seat constituencies, and 25 members elected by proportional representation.

Results of Last Election:

President - Oct. 25, 2003

National Assembly - Nov. 6, 2005

Archive Search

Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Election Tracker archive.