Mazahir Panahov's name has reappeared on the YAP list

The New Azerbaijan Party's (YAP) Board of Directors held its latest meeting on April 22. At this meeting, discussions revolved around YAP's candidates for the Central Election Commission (CEC).

A statement from YAP announced that they had decided to propose several individuals to the Milli Majlis for election. These individuals are Mazahir Panahov, Rovzat Gasimov, Ramiz Ibrahimov, Huseyn Pashayev, Elmar Mammadov, and Sevinj Abdullayeva, all suggested as main members of the CEC, with Elnara Mustafayeva proposed as a substitute member.

While some names on the list are new compared to last time, it is particularly notable that Mr. Panahov, who has overseen this body for 26 years since 2000, is once more included on the YAP list.

The Election Code requires that the CEC be put together again this month, as its five-year term of office has now ended.

The CEC comprises 18 members. Under the current legislation, one-third of these members are selected by the party holding the majority in the Milli Majlis – which is the New Azerbaijan Party. Another third are appointed by deputies who do not align with any political party, often referred to as neutrals. The final third are chosen by the political parties that hold a minority presence in the parliament.

At the election commission's first meeting, members must openly vote to choose the chairman, a deputy chairman, and two secretaries for the CEC.

The candidates put forward by minority parties are not expected to change. The political parties that hold a minority of seats in the Milli Majlis have finalized their candidates for the Central Election Commission (CEC).

Reports from local websites indicate that the current representatives from these parties on the CEC will stay the same:

Great Construction Party (BGP) - Bakhsheyish Askerov

Motherland Party (AVP) - Etibar Guliyev

All Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (BAP) - Mikayil Rahimli

Civic Solidarity Party (CSP) - Almas Gahramanli

Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (ADIP) - Tofig Hasanov

Democratic Enlightenment Party - Ilkin Shahbazov

The Opposition's Request

Neither the Musavat party nor the Azerbaijan Popular Front have representatives among the current members. The Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) decided not to participate in the most recent parliamentary elections. Similar to the APFP, Musavat does not accept the results of those elections.

Both parties contend that elections in Azerbaijan are characterized by extensive fraud. However, officials dispute this assessment. Nonetheless, the OSCE election mission also reported the occurrence of various legal infringements during the parliamentary elections held in 2024.

Several opposition parties assert that the election outcomes do not accurately represent the will of the Azerbaijani populace. They advocate for the establishment of election commissions on an equitable, parity basis. These opposition parties allege that the current makeup of the commissions primarily serves the interests of the governing authorities. They further suggest that even deputies in parliament who are officially non-partisan are, in essence, not truly independent. Nevertheless, those designated as non-partisans regard such an assessment as prejudiced.

Officials, moreover, do not appear to favor the proposition of forming commissions based on equal representation.

To what extent, ultimately, will the composition undergo alteration?

Experts generally anticipate that the new configuration of the CEC will bear a strong resemblance to its current makeup. During the most recent elections, the governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) secured over half of the available seats. Furthermore, the current Milli Majlis includes representatives from 11 distinct parties.

The remaining seats are designated for non-affiliated members. Experts do not foresee these individuals altering the established distribution of power.

A Chairman of Twenty-Six Years...

Mazahir Panahov has presided over the CEC since the year 2000. However, it remains uncertain whether he will once more lead this highest electoral body. A number of experts had previously speculated that Mr. Panahov's tenure as chairman was approaching its conclusion, postulating that the authorities sought new individuals for leadership roles. Nevertheless, the reappearance of his name on the ruling party's list has introduced uncertainty regarding these earlier expectations.