Sergey Markov
Versions of names: Сергей Марков
Russia
Another prominent observer during Azerbaijan’s September 2024 snap parliamentary election was the well-known, hawkish foreign policy and defense analyst Sergey Markov, director of the Institute of Political Studies and member of the influential Foreign and Defense Policy Council, the organizer of the Valdai Club meetings. He was seen at many such elections in the past, including Azerbaijan’s February 2024 snap presidential election.
Corresponding elections
legitimate
In Azerbaijan's September 1, 2024, snap parliamentary election, the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, led by President Ilham Aliyev, narrowly maintained its majority with 68 out of 125 seats. Held early to avoid conflicting with COP29 in Baku, the election saw limited opposition with 44 seats won by "independents" broadly aligned with the regime. Voting extended to Nagorno-Karabakh for the first time since 1994, underscoring Azerbaijan's control of the region. Despite a peaceful election day, international observers highlighted a lack of democratic standards, with low voter turnout (37%) and substantial restrictions on political freedoms, media access, and independent observation. The EPDE and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) criticized the election’s credibility, noting extensive repression of opposition and the presence of fake observers.