34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?

The following shall have the right to free airtime of TV and radio companies for election campaigning, in accordance with Article 77.2 of this Code:
Presidential candidates; [...]

Source: Article 80.1., Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2003 (amended 2018).

80.2. The following shall have the tight to free TV and radio airtime companies for pre election campaigning, in accordance with Article
77.3 of this Code:
Candidates registered in single-mandate constituencies; [...]

Source: Article 80.2., Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2003 (amended 2018).

Candidates for membership of a municipality and referendum campaign groups with 2,000 or more members, shall have the right to free airtime for election campaigning from TV and radio companies, in accordance with Article 77.4 of this Code. [...]

Source: Article 80.3., Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2003 (amended 2018).

The free airtime provided by broadcasting companies shall be divided on equal terms and amounts among the registered candidates, political parties, blocs of political parties and referendum campaign groups.

Source: Article 80.6., Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2003 (amended 2018).

Source: Article 83., Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2003 (amended 2018).​

The Election Code provides for free and paid airtime for candidates, under equal conditions. Political parties and blocs with candidates in at least 60 constituencies are eligible for three hours per week of free airtime on the public broadcaster and free space in state-funded newspapers. This time will be equally divided among registered candidates and will be used either for debates among them or for their individual presentations.

Source: OSCE/ODIHR (2018) Republic of Azerbaijan Early Presidential Election 11 April 2018. OSCE/ODIHRNeeds Assessment Mission Report 21-22 February 2018, OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw.

Source: OSCE/ODIHR (2019) Republic of Azerbaijan Early Parliamentary Elections 9 February 2020. ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report 19-21 December 2019, OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw.

Besides the national broadcast and state funded newspapers, presidential candidates, political parties or blocs of political parties with registered candidates, and candidates for municipal elections are provided pre-election campaigning through periodicals on a free basis in pursuant to certain criteria.

Source: Article 83., Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2003 (amended 2018).