Exit poll: Aliyev wins the presidential election in Azerbaijan, Orbán congratules – UPDATE

Today, the Caucasus region witnessed the unfolding of a historic election. Following decades of Armenian rule in Nagorno-Karabakh, which has since been reclaimed by Azerbaijan, the stage was set for the first presidential elections in the reunified nation.

Seven presidential candidates, including five representing political parties and two independent candidates, vied for the electorate’s favour in the early presidential polls. Unsurprisingly, all eyes were on the incumbent head of state, Ilham Aliyev, with many anticipating that the successful reunification would bolster his standing.

After Azeri forces successfully stabilised the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, it was decided in December 2023 to bring forward the elections from their originally scheduled date in 2025 to February 2024.

Election highlights in figures:

• In a country the size of Hungary, 6.5 million voters exercised their democratic right.
• 1,000 polling stations was established, with the presence of 90,000 domestic and 600 international observers on the ground.
• 26 polling stations were set up in Nagorno-Karabakh.
• The event garnered international attention, drawing 109 journalists from around the globe, including our own editor-in-chief.
• Additionally, voting was made accessible abroad, with 49 locations across 40 countries, expecting approximately 23 thousand voters at embassies.

In a nod to transparency, webcams were installed at each polling station, allowing interested individuals to monitor proceedings online.