The Central Election Commission (CEC) conducted the next session chaired by Mr. Mazahir Panahov on February 14, 2025. The issues regarding general results of the Municipal elections held on January 29, 2025 were considered at the session also attended by the media representatives and other interested subjects.

It was spoken about the projects and works undertaken to conduct the elections at a high level freely, fairly, and transparently. It was emphasized that throughout the entire election campaign, the key stages of the processes and other necessary measures had been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the legislation efficiently in a timely manner.

It was stated that although a series of awareness-raising projects were implemented consecutively during two important elections held in the country last year, due to the specific characteristics of the local elections, numerous awareness-raising projects on different areas were carried out in close cooperation with relevant institutions for election subjects of various status in accordance with the CEC program.

It was also noted that the local elections were held in 118 out of 125 electoral constituencies, covering 5,846 polling stations. 16,092 candidates competed for 8,071 municipal seats in the elections that covered 685 municipalities across the country.  CEC highlighted that political parties demonstrated special activity in these elections, with 23 political parties participating with their own candidates, thereby demonstrating broad public and political interest in the Municipal elections. It was pointed out that more than half of the candidates included in the election ballots were nominated by political parties. When considering political party affiliation, it was mentioned that candidates from 24 political parties appeared on the election ballots.

It was also stated that during the pre-election campaign equal conditions and opportunities were provided to all candidates. In accordance with the requirements of the Election Code, a total of 5,912 venues were allocated across the country—3,730 outdoor and 2,182 indoor—where candidates could freely hold their pre-election meetings with voters, using these venues free of charge by simply informing the Constituency Election Commissions (Con.ECs). In addition to other locations, over 10,000 special information boards, specifically installed for this purpose, were made available for use by campaign subjects for the placement of posters and other printed materials. 20 media organizations that offered paid airtime for the election campaign submitted the proposed prices to CEC and this information was posted on the commission’s website for candidates' reference. The principle of equality of conditions for all candidates was continuously monitored. Election campaign subjects efficiently utilized the equal conditions and opportunities provided to conduct their campaigns. Overall, the pre-election campaign took place in a peaceful atmosphere, meeting civil and modern requirements.

It was particularly emphasized that 26,260 out of 70,625 accredited observers represented 24 political parties in the local elections which is another indication of the high level of interest political parties had in the elections.

When discussing the transparency of the elections, it was noted that webcams meeting modern standards and offering the highest image quality were installed at 1,000 polling stations across 118 electoral constituencies in the local elections. Through these cameras, on Election Day internet users, both within the country and abroad, could access the CEC official website and observe all processes at the polling station—voting, ballot counting, and determination of results—live and continuously without the requirement for any registration.

During the Commission discussion the active participation of media representatives in the elections was also addressed. It was stated that overall, during the preparation for the elections, on voting day and in the subsequent periods, all opportunities were provided to ensure that both observers and media representatives could carry out their activities without any hindrance. Representatives of local media outlets operating in the country were able to freely cover the elections from start to the end without any additional registration or documentation requirements.

The Commission session also covered the Election Day processes, noting that on that day, voters came to the polling stations freely and independently to express their will, with 31.42% of eligible voters participating in the election nationwide. In accordance with the requirements of the election legislation, the public was informed about voter activity five times throughout the day. After the voting was finalized, the vote counting was carried out continuously. Following this, the polling station protocol data of the polling stations was directly received online and posted on the Commission website. Thus, just a few hours after the voting ended, preliminary results based on data covering 96.35% of the municipalities where the election was held were shared with the public, which is of exceptional importance in ensuring transparency in the elections. The process of receiving data on voting results directly from polling stations continued without interruption and complete preliminary results for all polling stations were posted on the CEC website and made public within a short time. Final protocols and other election documents related to the voting results were delivered from the Precinct Election Commissions (PECs) to the Constituency Election Commissions (Con.ECs), and from there to CEC within the timeframes and procedures established by law.

It was also mentioned at the session that on Election Day no complaints or appeals regarding any violations of the law were filed to CEC or lower election commissions. However, 338 inquiries and informational requests were received through the CEC hotline # 115 and electronic hotlines and an immediate response was provided with necessary actions undertaken. After Election Day until the finalization of the Municipal elections, all complaints filed to CEC and information obtained from various sources were thoroughly, objectively and transparently investigated with the direct participation of applicants and interested parties, with swift action taken and discussed openly during sessions leading to reasoned decisions. To ensure transparency further, the information regarding the progress of the investigation and review process of the received requests was posted on the CEC website and made available to the public and interested parties.

It was also noted that the protocols of the Con.ECs and the attached documents were fully, objectively and thoroughly examined by CEC. Additionally, on Election Day information from various sources, including digital platforms was carefully examined, utilizing data from alternative resources as well as footage from the webcams installed in polling stations to ensure broad, comprehensive and careful investigation as possible.

As a result of the investigations conducted by the Commission, violations of the law that prevented the determination of voters' will were identified at the following polling stations: PEC # 9 of Yasamal first Con.EC # 15, PEC # 8 of Yasamal third Con.EC # 17, PEC # 29 of Nasimi-Sabail Con.EC # 23, PEC # 62 of Lerik-Astara Con.EC # 80, PEC # 11 of Imishli Con.EC # 81, PEC # 30 of Aghjabadi Con.EC # 86, as well as on the municipality Shuruk in Lankaran village Con.EC # 78 and Padar municipality in Oghuz-Gabala-Shaki Con.EC # 117). As a result, it was decided that the election results at the mentioned polling stations and the elections for the aforementioned municipalities would be declared invalid.

Furthermore, due to shortcomings in the preparation, conduct and determination of the election results, the following Precinct Election Commissions were dismissed: PEC # 9 of Yasamal first Con.EC # 15, PEC # 8 of Yasamal third Con.EC # 17, PECs # 29 and 30 of Nasimi-Sabail Con.EC # 23, PEC # 62 of Lerik-Astara Con.EC # 80, PECs # 11, 42, 43, 44 and 46 of Imishli Con.EC # 81, PEC # 30 of Aghjabadi Con.EC # 86.

It was also recalled during the session that based on the results of previous investigations and the CEC relevant decisions, the results of voting at a total of 6 polling stations and the elections for one municipality were declared invalid. Additionally, according to the preliminary voting results, one of the persons elected as a municipal member later passed away, which led to the incomplete formation of one municipality.

Thus, based on the unanimous decision of CEC and in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Election Code and other legislative acts, during the local elections 8,039 persons were elected as municipality members, one municipality was formed incompletely and 681 municipalities were fully formed, taking into account the invalidation of the voting results at a total of 27 polling stations and the elections for 3 municipalities.

At the end of the session, the CEC final protocol of the Municipal elections was drafted and signed by all the CEC members.