December 23, 2009 at 8:00 local time, municipal elections started in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) registered 48.388 observers (including 1.160 local and 52 foreign observers in constituencies of the country.

Over 31.000 candidates for municipal members from 18 political parties were registered in the country. 15,682 members are planned to be elected to 1,718 municipalities.

Light polling is foreseen in municipal elections as compared to presidential and parliamentary ones.

Voting turnout at 10:00a.m. in the country makes 8.77% (402.347 voters), Trend News reports.

Municipal elections in Azerbaijan were held twice — in 1999 and 2004.

L.A.