Baku, October 20, AZERTAC

“This year's parliamentary elections will see 63,500 young people cast their ballots for the first time,” Mazahir Panahov, chairman of Azerbaijan`s Central Election Commission (CEC) has told a meeting with representatives of youth organizations.

Organized by the Youth Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the meeting brought together the Azerbaijani President's Aide for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov, Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov, as well as heads and representatives of youth organizations.

“Some 257 people will turn 18 on the election day,” said Mr Panahov. He stressed the importance of the parliamentary elections in terms of the country`s public and political life. Mr Panahov said that citizens should be actively involved in this process. “Young people should also be active in the elections as the most active segments of the society,” he said.

He highlighted Azerbaijan`s accomplishments, saying the national development strategy was founded by national leader Heydar Aliyev.

Executive Director of the Youth Foundation Farhad Hajiyev applauded the role of youth in the development of statehood traditions in Azerbaijan. “Participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan is the civic duty of every young person,” he added.

Presidential Aide for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov said that youth policy has been one of the key priorities in the country in recent years. “Thanks to the state youth policy founded by national leader Heydar Aliyev, a strong youth army has formed. Today, the Azerbaijani youth can be compared with the youth of the world's most advanced countries.” Ali Hasanov emphasized the role of youth in the high-level organization of the first European Games.

Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov and representatives of the youth organizations hailed the accomplishments achieved by the country as a result of the state youth policy.