Maxim Leskov

Versions of names: Максим Лесков
Russia

Maxim Leskov is a former intelligence officer specializing in social engineering and runs the Russian Foundation for Free Elections. This is not an autonomous organization but a GONGO: a government-organized non-governmental organization. The Russian Foundation for Free Elections was created and is directly controlled by the Central Electoral Commission, headed by Ella Panfilova. Leskov is also an expert for IPA-CIS. Leskov’s Russian Foundation for Free Elections legitimizes the rigged electoral system in Russia by pretending it is free, organizing knowledge competitions for the youth, and other propaganda activities. Leskov came to Baku for Azerbaijan’s September 2024 snap parliamentary election with a group of six other observers, young members of his organization.

Corresponding elections

Parliamentary Election Azerbaijan 2024
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.

Missions