Azat Usmanov
Versions of names: Азат Усманов
Russia
During the presidential election in Russia in March 2014, Azat Usmanov worked at the information center of the Central Election Commission. As an urbanist and researcher of urban spaces, he used to be a city activist in his hometown of Ulyanovsk, demanding more green spaces. It is unclear if he has a full-time role at the Russian Foundation for Free Elections.
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.