Courage in Action: Queer Eye on Azerbaijan’s 2024 Presidential Election
With this article, we aim to take our readers back to that remarkable day when 14 LGBTI+s stood with courage, making a monumental step for queer representation in Azerbaijan’s electoral process.
On the 7th of February 2024, snap presidential elections took place in Azerbaijan.
Underscoring the importance of queer representation and active engagement in such important electoral events, Nafas has taken critical initiative to facilitate the monitoring of the presidential elections exclusively by queers.
The preparation process was both logistical and symbolic. By training queer observers, Nafas emphasized the need for inclusivity in civic participation. These efforts were not only about monitoring elections but also about making a difference: LGBTI+s have a right and a responsibility to contribute to the political life of their country as any other citizen.
In the lead-up to the elections, Nafas provided rigorous training to ensure their observers were well-versed in non-partisan election observation. These trainings equipped 14 observers with the knowledge and technical support needed for accreditation through the Central Election Commission (CEC).
On election day, 7 Precinct Election Commissions (PEC/ or polling station) of the Nasimi-Sabail CEC number 23 in Baku were deployed with observers, two each.
Queer Eye on Election Day
Election day, however, was fraught with irregularities, where significant procedural shortcomings and errors were observed by queers. Across the seven polling stations monitored, PEC members appeared not to be fully aware of the required procedures, whereas important safeguards were often disregarded. Intentional omissions included:
- voters whose names were not on the electoral roll were allowed to vote;
- instances of one individual voting multiple times and group voting;
- failure to check for ink marks on voters’ fingers;
- not correctly marking the fingers of voters with ink upon receiving the ballot paper.
Moreover, in a number of cases, the secrecy of the vote was compromised. Queers reported instances where voters entered booths in pairs, ballots were not being folded correctly, and in some cases, voters openly marked their ballots.
Queers Under Pressure
Beyond these procedural failures, our queers also encountered significant hostility, and in most situations, they were not able to observe important procedures without restrictions.
In every polling station, they were subjected to psychological pressure and, in some cases, physical intimidation by PEC members and or by other observers (presumably orchestrated by the chair of the respective PEC).
At polling station number 35, trans observer Rauf was repeatedly targeted for his gender identity, while Narmin, another observer, suffered a mental breakdown from the persistent harassment she faced. Upon loads of worried reports coming from polling stations 2, 29, and 35, our queers were recommended to leave the station, without protocol.
In all cases, remarks on violations were intentionally ignored by PEC members, even threatened by the police. Perhaps most concerning was the removal of three Nafas observers from polling station number 13 by police officers, with the accusation of obstructing the electoral process. They were later released on the premises of the polling station and no official procedure was initiated against them. However, they were asked to be filmed by the police officer, saying “We don’t have a problem with the police and we won’t initiate an official complaint against them”.
Receiving the protocol was possible only in 3 polling stations.
Media Coverage and Public Discourse
Our genuine efforts to foster inclusivity in the electoral process did not go unnoticed. Various international media outlets, such as ZDF Germany and Voice of America, featured our queer observers, seeking their insights on the election process and highlighting the documented materials and violations they observed. Below are some of the key instances of media coverage:
- ZDF Germany: Observer Cavid Nabiyev discussed the procedural shortcomings and errors observed from the early hours of the election day.
Watch the segment here. - Voice of America: Observer Sarah Rasimli shared evidence of a pre-cut pile of ballot papers discovered in front of a PEC member at polling station number 2.
Watch her testimony here.
Additional coverage:
Voice of America Stream | HamamTimes Stream - Voice of America: Cavid Nabiyev explained why he and two other Nafas observers (Vasif and Ismayil I.) were removed from polling station number 13 by police.
Watch the video here. - Meydan TV: Cavid Nabiyev addressed the chair of the PEC at polling station number 12 about one voter receiving multiple ballot papers. Additional footage showed pressure from so-called observers on Nafas monitors Rza and Sara in polling station number 14.
Watch the scenes here.
Additional coverage from Voice of America on polling station number 14 can be viewed here. - Voice of America: Observer Nilufar Afandiyeva shared insights from polling station number 11, where PEC members imposed restrictions and threatened to remove her. Nilufar also recounted how another observer physically pushed her away from the ballot box.
Watch her account here. - Radio Liberty: Observers Rauf and Narmin reported that voters not registered in polling station number 35 were allowed to vote without the required de-registration voting card (DVC). Rauf provided video evidence of this violation, while Narmin recounted how PEC members initially followed procedures but later began ignoring them as the day progressed.
Watch their interview here.
Backlash
Despite our genuine intention to foster inclusivity in electoral processes, our efforts were met with fierce backlash, while our queer observers were accused of staging provocations and smearing the election process.
An article published by Axar.az just four hours before the election, warned about “groups planning to sabotage the election day,” while pointing out Nafas as one of the leaders of such groups.
Surprisingly, the article leeks internal messages from each group, a message that consisted of procedural reminders for election day. However, the article portrayed these reminders as evidence of “preparations for a large-scale smearing campaign to be organized by networks connected to the West in Azerbaijan on election day.”
On the 9th of February, in another article published by Musavat, this time, Nafas was exclusively targeted and accused of being “the main interlocutors for smearing the election process.” Some extracts from the article:
- The presidential elections of the Republic of Azerbaijan, held on February 7, 2024, were marked by various provocations by media organizations and “activists” supported by the West. Funded by foreign donors, “Radio Liberty”, “Voice of America”, “BBC Azerbaijan”, “Meydan TV” committed numerous media sabotages with fake interlocutors and disinformation methods.
- It is interesting and surprising that only LGBT members were deployed as observers in Nasimi-Sabail electoral district number 23.
- In these elections, the involvement of LGBT, “nowar” activists, feminists and other such activists for the purpose of observation (provocation) was a new tactic developed. This was also seen from the involvement of only LGBT members as observers in poll station of Nasimi-Sabail electoral district number 23.
A Step Forward Despite the Challenges
Queer monitoring of the 2024 presidential elections marked a significant moment in the fight for both electoral transparency and queer representation. Despite the challenges, including systemic violations and backlash, the courage of 14 queer observers cannot be overstated as their critical engagement sent a powerful message: Queers are integral to Azerbaijan’s democratic future.