Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The initial results of municipal elections held in Azerbaijan on December 23 have been announced.

The voter turnout in the municipal elections hit 38.93 percent, as 1,876,014 out of 4,819,382 voters took part in the elections.

Municipal elections were held for 1,607 municipalities in 5,015 polling stations of 118 constituencies, except the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

Head of the Central Election Commission Mazahir Panahov said all 1,607 municipalities have been formed with 15,035 leading candidates.

5 015 protocols were already submitted by 5,015 polling stations of 118 constituencies to the Central Elections Commission and an overall1,861,728 ballots were counted.

Around 37,077 candidates took part in the municipal elections. Around 13,907 candidates were nominated by eight political parties, namely, New Azerbaijan party, Ana Vatan party, Civil Solidarity Party, Umid party, Azerbaijani Social Democratic Party, National Revival Movement Party, Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party and Boyuk Qurtulus party.

Around 23,061 candidates were independent and 109 candidates were nominated by the initiative groups.

The elections was monitored by 50,551 local observers, including representatives of the CIS Parliamentary Assembly.