OSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has officially opened its election observation mission (EOM) for the 9 February early parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan, said Ambassador Peter Tejler, head of the OSCE/ODIHR EOM at a press conference in Baku.

Tejler said that the mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Azerbaijani authorities.

The mission consists of a core team of 12 experts based in Baku. ODIHR has requested 30 long-term observers to be deployed throughout the country, as well as 350 short-term observers to monitor election day.

“This is the 11th time the OSCE/ODIHR will observe elections in Azerbaijan. We have worked constructively with the authorities involved in the election process in Azerbaijan so far and we hope that we will cooperate again in a constructive environment,” Tejler added.