Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election to be held on April 11 - CEC

Azerbaijan's extraordinary presidential election will be held on April 11, the chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said at a CEC meeting.

Panahov stressed that the president has the right to announce extraordinary presidential election in accordance with the Constitution.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev signed an order yesterday announcing extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan.

The Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan has been instructed to ensure the conduct of presidential election in accordance with the country’s Electoral Code.

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, starting from the day of the announcement of extraordinary presidential election by the country’s president, the Central Election Commission shall schedule election for a Wednesday within a week and hold it within 60 days.

The Deputy Director General of the Trend information agency, political commentator Arzu Nagiyev, speaking with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that the change of the election's date to April 11 seems to be a great idea. "2018 is the year of presidential elections in the region, including in Russia, Armenia and Georgia. In particular, the elections will be held in Armenia in March, and on April 9 there will be a final change of the system with the inauguration of the new president. I think that holding presidential elections in Azerbaijan closer to this date is quite profitable for full-fledged negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh," he said.

In addition, this will avoid overlapping the next dates. "Both parliamentary and presidential elections are planned to be held in 2025, since now the president is elected for a period of 7 years. It is better to hold the presidential elections 6 months earlier to avoid overlapping in the autumn. In addition, the year of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic is announced in the country, and all these celebrations in Baku will be held in May," Arzu Nagiyev stressed.

"Today's economic situation in Azerbaijan and all other aspects make it possible to organize extraordinary elections properly. I think no one, including the opposition, will object to the early elections, since about 60 days are reserved for preparation and election campaign. The main thing is that the President issued his order in accordance with the Constitution of Azerbaijan," the political scientist added.

According to the expert, the turnout at the extraordinary elections will be high.