The Azerbaijan State News Agency

ILHAM ALIYEV TAKES LEAD OVER RIVALS

Important stage of the Presidential elections has commenced. Intensity of the political processes taken place in the country influences seriously all layers of society. Dynamics of public opinion is speeding up and changing accordingly. Appraisal of the Presidential contenders’ chances becomes more urgent. Center of the analytical information and poll ‘Sel’ held public opinion poll among 300 respondents in Baku city. Some 50% of men, 50% of women, 53% of youth, 37% of middle aged, 10% of elderly, representing different professions, took part poll. The poll resulted as follows:

1. If elections were held tomorrow, whom of the below-mentioned politicians you vote for?

1. I.Aliyev – 51.7%

2. I.Gambar-12.8%

3. E.Mammadov- 8%

4. A.Karimli – 6.8%

5. Y.Oguz –6.6%

6. L.Shovkat –5.9%

7. S.Rustamkhanli –3.1%

8. I.Ismayilov –2.6%

9. A.Alizade –0.8%

10. T.Karimli –0.6%

11. H.Hasanguliyev –0.5%

12. A.Samadov –0.2%

13. H.Hajiyev –0.1%

14. I.Shirin –0.1%

15. Ch.Sadigov – 0.1%

16. E.Musayev –0.1%

Note: This ratio of Presidential contenders’ rating is explained from the logical standpoint of recent political events.

1. Ilham Aliyev’s appreciable superiority is a showing of public reaction to his appointment as Prime Minister. I.Aliyev’s active defense of Azerbaijan’s positions at the last CE session had its impact on rating. Besides, active support of his appointment as Prime Minister on behalf of the West and Russia has also played its role.

2. Decrease of rating of the head of Musavat Isa Gambar can be explained from the point of view of recent events, including lack of the expected support of the West, serious propaganda inside the country as well as faction among opposition.

3. Etibar Mammadov has not managed to make its real and efficient political move. Party of National Independence of Azerbaijan (PNIA) has not while promulgated its electoral platform, and it is unknown, how it feels during the elections. In addition, loss of Western support has also influenced the situation. Respondents continue to adhere to an uncertain position concerning E.Mammadov.

4. Ali Kerimli is loosing his image obtained in winter. Thoughts expressed in the Milli Majlis about him and absence of support during the recent events decreased his rating. A. Kerimli has not taken any independent serious political move.

5. Increase of Yunus Oguz’s rating is explained by his non-interference into intricate political processes, active representation of his electoral platform and underlining of his definite features during the campaign. In his ideological conception, Y. Oguz is guided by love towards the nation, peace and Turkism; promises stable economic development, which is taken in the society with understanding.

6. L. Shovkat increased activeness compared to spring time, started representation of her electoral platform.

7. Sabir Rustamkhanli is active in his political steps, besides, achieved a considerable achievements in propaganda.

8. I. Ismayilov confirmed his reference to the camp of “left” in Russia by his political moves.

9. A. Alizadeh appears at political arena very frequent, his electoral conception is unknown and social-democratic idea is not popular, that is why he takes the place at the end of the rating table.

10. T. Kerimli solved his fate, having linked himself to pro-Russia circles. Neither his political conception no electoral platform are known. The recent political maneuvers negatively influenced his political position.

11. H. Hasanguliyev has not revealed which special features, as a representative of “front”, will be reflected in his electoral platform. His concept ional ideas are not known either. For a voter, H. Hasanguliyev is a “closed object”.

12. For recent 6-7 months, A. Samedov has not appeared at political stage. It does not seem that he offers any electoral platform. That is why responders “cannot see him”.

13. H. Hajiyev has not put forward any conception or platform. His activeness in propaganda is imperceptible. One can say that a voter does not know H. Hajiyev.

14. I. Shirin lost his image of a Prosecutor General of Elchibey’s government and obtained image of a politician, having offered nothing in exchange. Responders “do not feel” him.

15. “Ch. Sadiqov has no other image but that of being the one to sign the agreement of Progress between PNIA and PPFA /R/. It is not known whether he has any political conceptions and platform.

16. Majority of responders does not know E. Musayev. There is no idea about his political position. That is why, it is not accidental that he is at the last stage of rating.

P. Do you consider that opposition may put forward a single nominee for the Presidential Elections.

a) Yes – 24,3 percent

b) No – 65,5 percent

c) Find difficulty to respond – 10,2 percent

Note: Compared to the results of previous poll it is seen that opposition has not managed to obtain trust among voters. The activities during a few weeks have not changed the opinion of responders about them. It means that people still feel the difference between word and action.

Center of Analytical Information and poll ‘Sel”

Share news on social media

Follow us on social network

August 9 marks International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples

Makkah Joint Defence Agreement to enhance Pakistan’s strategic and diplomatic role, Gulf Observer Editor-in-Chief says

To His Excellency Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore

FIFA defends Infantino’s mandate amid growing divisions about his leadership

River Plate signs Thiago Almada from Atletico Madrid

Marco Rubio: United States remains fully committed to working with Armenia and Azerbaijan

President Ilham Aliyev sends a letter to U.S. President on the anniversary of the Washington Summit

To the President of the United States of America His Excellency Mr. Donald J. Trump

Steve Witkoff: The future of South Caucasus countries is bright

Top stories update

Release from the Press Service of the President

Historic Washington Summit: A chronological timeline

Spain to establish border controls on travellers from Italy amid migration dispute

Russia, Pakistan work to launch first rail cargo route — ambassador

Azerbaijan military attachés and representatives convene for annual meeting

Washington Agreements: Peace and strategic partnership change the rules of the game – ANALYSIS

What has the historic Washington meeting changed?

American expert: Azerbaijan is really becoming to play a much larger role across the broader region

Another shipment from Russia dispatched to Armenia via Azerbaijan

President Saratoga Foundation: The trajectory of relations between the U.S. and Azerbaijan over the past year has been remarkable

Release of the Press Service of the President

Space Academy of Azercosmos receives IAF Excellence in “3G+” Diversity Award 2026

Thawing Siberia could undercut 20 percent of methane targets by 2050, study warns

Washington Summit that established historical justice and peace in the South Caucasus

Türkiye says Greece's tourism framework carries no legal consequences for Ankara

Japan orders evacuations as Typhoon Dolphin approaches, cancels 500 flights

Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth visits Baku Aquatic Palace

Turkish president says Mecca Joint Defense Agreement targets no country, open to other friendly nations

“Khojaly Encyclopedia” presented - shedding light on history

Top stories update

Spanish police dismantle major Mediterranean migrant and drugs smuggling network

FAO Food Price Index edges higher in July on stronger crop prices

Bulgaria records EU’s largest increase in government R&D budget allocations per capita since 2015

® Birbank Biznes offers up to 5% discount on micro business loans

® Fitch has once again upgraded ABB Bank’s ratings!

Artificial Intelligence used to design brand new viruses

Low Danube water levels in Bulgaria expose Roman-era bridge

Azerbaijan, Iran approve Action Plan in youth and sports

Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference explore cooperation

Admission plan for BEU-INHA DDP filled 100 percent

Beijing deploys 72 robot ‘employees’ across city parks amid high temperatures

® PASHA Holding successfully continues "Fərqindəlik" ("Awareness") project launched in 2025

China adds nearly 20 tons of gold to reserves in July

Azerbaijan Army servicemen participate in Proficiency Level Assessment Examinations

Europe's gas storage falls to lowest August level since 2011

Man Utd confirm Altay Bayindir exit as Celta Vigo loan deal includes permanent transfer clause

Azerbaijan sets up Organizing Committee for International Investment Forum to take place in Baku – ORDER

® Azercell launches an annual subscription for ZengimCELL service

Baku to host international badminton tournament

Meta fined $567m in largest child safety ruling against social media giant

Azerbaijani Economy minister highlights SOCAR Carbamide as important example of successful digital transformation

Azerbaijan’s State Oil Fund invests alongside I Squared Capital in Inkia, Peru's largest independent power producer

John van 't Schip to take helm of Kazakhstan’s national football team

European wildfires cause up to $22B in total damage

Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan to sign trilateral defense agreement

Bad news for rice lovers: Climate change is cutting rice harvests

Top stories update

Azeri Light sells for $93.37

At least 7 dead in Thai school shooting

Oil prices rise on global markets

Protesters march in Buenos Aires against Argentina's private property bill

Azerbaijani FM meets with Ukrainian President

Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid agree new six-year deal

Jeyhun Bayramov informed Ukrainian President on post-conflict realities in the South Caucasus

Top stories update

Munich car-ramming attacker sentenced to life in prison

UK clears Paramount’s stalled $110B Warner Bros. Discovery takeover

Real Madrid sign Diomande from RB Leipzig

Number of Azerbaijani nationals working for bp disclosed

Azerbaijan, US explore global economy trends

Lebanon, Israel begin final day of 7th round of negotiations in Rome

Azerbaijan, FIDE explore enhancing cooperation

Trabzonspor sign Salah on blockbuster 2-year deal

Butterflies are rapidly changing where they live as climate changes

bp spent about $0.9 million on various social and sponsorship projects in Azerbaijan in first half of 2026

BEU graduate awarded prestigious Chevening scholarship

Processing of data acquired during survey for Garabagh field currently underway

24 wells drilled for Shahdeniz 2 project to date, bp says

Trump tells donors, ‘We need to elect JD,’ in 2028 presidential election: Report

Shah Deniz field produces around 14 billion standard cubic meters of gas and 2 million tons of condensate in first half of 2026

AFFA official appointed UEFA delegate for Europa League qualifier

During first half, SCP`s daily average export throughput was 63.7 million cubic metres of gas per day

Turkish media representatives visit Aghdam Industrial Park

® Order your Birbank Star card today and enjoy commission-free cash withdrawals                    

bp: Further evaluation of the Shafag-Asiman block is required

BTC pipeline transported more than in 4.7 billion barrels of oil to world markets since its commissioning

Azerbaijan's digital governance model receives two international awards in UK

Sangachal terminal exported around 97 million barrels of oil and condensate in six months

Construction activities for Shafag project expected to continue through mid-2027.

Three Tottenham exits close as Atletico Madrid into pole position to sign Romero after hijack

Azerbaijan received 2 billion cubic meters of associated gas from ACG in first half of year

Most-detailed-ever image of sun reveals roiling waves for first time

ACG completed drilling of seven oil producer and two gas injector wells in first six months

Installation of Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable on seabed of Caspian Sea completed

FM Bayramov: We also would be happy to provide gas also to friendly Ukraine, in case of necessity

Hormuz disruption pushes LNG shipping costs to highest levels since 2022: Report

First 2026 issue of English-language IRS-Heritage magazine published

Microbiome-based therapy may increase peanut allergy tolerance in adults

Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli produced 59 million barrels during first half of 2026

Pakistan prioritizes stronger relations with Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan — envoy