Azerbaijan begins voting in presidential election

Voting began in Azerbaijan on Wednesday morning with people across the country and overseas exercising their right to elect their next president.

There are 5.3 million eligible voters, out of a total estimated population of around 9.7 million, in the country.

The voting began at 8 a.m. local time (GMT0400) and is expected to end at 7 p.m. local time (GMT1500).

Ilham Aliyev, incumbent president of Azerbaijan since 2003 and chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party, is expected to win the election.

Other presidential candidates are Razi Nurullayev, chairman of Azerbaijani Popular Front Party; Sardar Memmedov, chairman of Azerbaijan Democratic Party; Zahid Oruc, independent candidate; Faraj Guliyev, chairman of National Revival Movement Party; Araz Alizada, chairman of Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan; and Gudrat Hasanguliyev, chairman of Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party and Hafiz Hajiyev, chairman of Modern Equality Party.

Overseas Azerbaijanis are also participating in the voting process at their international missions across the World.