Azer Allahveranov, Chairman of the "Eurasian Migration Initiatives Platform" Public Union, responded to the questions of secki-2024.az regarding the presidential elections scheduled for February 7 in Azerbaijan.

What is the importance of the extraordinary presidential elections scheduled for February 7, 2024, in terms of the future development of Azerbaijan?

- The February 7 presidential elections are a political event of great importance due to many indicators. First of all, a president will be elected for the Republic of Azerbaijan for the next term. This means the beginning of a new era in the country's political life. In addition, as is known, the concept of national priorities related to Azerbaijan's development directions until 2030 was adopted, and specific sub-tasks were defined for each national priority. This concept combines the elements of increasing the rate of development in different fields in Azerbaijan and defining the state policy in this regard. This includes "green" and renewable energy, new challenges related to environmental protection, etc. which can be considered new for Azerbaijan. I think that the next stage on the way to the goals set for the said priorities is the February 7 elections. That is, the implementation of Azerbaijan's new development strategy will take place through the February 7 election.

Presidential elections will be held for the first time in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. How will this factor manifest itself in future processes?

 - First of all, I want to say that these elections are a historical event for our people. The fact that almost one-fifth of our land was occupied by Armenians for nearly thirty years and the people from those regions were forced to live in different cities and regions of the country had an impact on the elections in one form or another. Because those citizens of ours were deprived of the right to participate in the elections in their own lands and places. Our territorial integrity and sovereignty have already been ensured, and on February 7, some of them will be able to freely vote for their candidates for the first time in Lachin, Khojali, Fuzuli, Khankendi, Shusha and other territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation.  In this respect, the presidential elections are different from the previous ones and are of special importance.

 How do you assess the election environment?

 - There is a sufficient democratic environment for holding elections in Azerbaijan. Everyone has witnessed that necessary conditions have been created for those who want to participate in the presidential elections as candidates.  They duly submitted their documents and signature sheets, and their appeals were answered in accordance with the law.  At the next stage, wide opportunities have been created in the mass media for the promotion of registered candidates. That is, free airtime on Public TV and Public radio, as well as space for free publication of campaign materials in four print publications, have been allocated. Since January 15, we have been witnessing TV debates that continue in a very constructive manner. The requests of many international organizations and foreign mass media who wanted to observe the elections were answered positively. The above-mentioned indicates the existence of a transparent democratic environment in Azerbaijan on all parameters on the eve of the February 7 elections.

 What level of voter turnout do you predict on election day?

 - I am sure from the beginning that voter turnout will be high. During our numerous meetings as the "Eurasian Migration Initiatives Platform" Public Union, people say that they will participate in these elections with great pleasure. In particular, the fact that the elections were held for the first time in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan makes everyone proud. Understanding their civic responsibility, everyone expresses their desire to take part in the elections and to use the maximum these conditions created to comfortably use their constitutional right.