Centre for Public Opinion and Democracy, Canada
Dec 3 2004

Overall Satisfaction Grows In Azerbaijan

(CPOD) Dec. 3, 2004 – Many adults in Azerbaijan believe their nation
is on the right track, according to a poll by the International
Foundation for Election Systems (IFES). 50 per cent of respondents
are satisfied with the overall situation in the former Soviet
Republic, a 19 per cent increase since 2003.

In October 2003, Haidar Aliyev – who had ruled the country since
1993 – retired from the presidential race after recurrent health
problems. His son Ilham was eventually elected with 77.97 per cent of
all cast ballots.

International observers alleged intimidation and media bias in favour
of Ilham. According to the Organization for Security and Co-operation
in Europe (OSCE), the election failed to meet international
standards. The younger Aliyev had served as the vice-president of
Azerbaijan’s state-run oil company, and was elected as vice-president
of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region is controlled by ethnic Armenians – who
consider the area an independent republic – but is claimed by
Azerbaijan as part of its territory. A war broke out in the early
1990s between both nations, ending in an unofficial truce negotiated
by Russia in 1994.

Polling Data

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the overall situation in the
country?

2004 2003

Satisfied 50% 31%

Dissatisfied 47% 66%

Source: International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES)
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews to 1,620 Azerbaijani adults,
conducted from Jun. 21 to Jul. 21, 2004. Margin of error is 2.4 per
cent.