Azerbaijan votes for the new parliament

Azerbaijan is set to hold an early parliamentary election on February 9.

On November 28, Azerbaijan's ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) - which dominates the National Assembly - initiated the dissolution of parliament asking President Ilham Aliyev, to call for snap general polls.

On December 5, President Ilham Aliyev with the consent of the Constitutional Court signed a decree approving the dissolution of the parliament and scheduling the early election for on February 9.

Speaking at a press conference in Baku on November 28, YAP Executive Secretary Ali Akhmedov said the move aimed to support Aliyev's policy on reforms and personnel changes.

Officials have said an early vote would help modernize Azerbaijan's legislative branch and speed the course of economic reforms.

The president has the right to dissolve parliament and call for early elections. The vote needs to take place within three months after the dissolution of the national assembly.

Azerbaijan was to hold the next parliamentary elections in November 2020.

Members of parliament are elected by a simple majority from 125 single-mandate constituencies for a five-year term.