The conceptualization of “local self-government” in Azerbaijan emerged during the latter part of the 19th century, coinciding with Azerbaijan’s integration into Tsarist Russia. In 1878, the first municipal elections for the Baku City Duma, a local self-government body, were conducted in Baku. Eligibility for candidacy in the Duma elections was subject to various restrictions and prerequisites. The elected members of the Duma were predominantly comprised of affluent oil magnates, merchants, factory owners, and ship proprietors. While the Duma representation was largely dominated by individuals from privileged backgrounds, a select group of intellectuals, such as Hasan bey Zardabi, teacher Habib bey Mahmudbeyov, and A.M. Topchubashov, were also granted the opportunity to represent the local populace. Wealthy residents of Baku, including H.Z. Taghiyev, Shamsi Asadullayev, Ibrahim bey Ashurbeyov, Ali Isgander Ashurov, Isabey Hajinsky, Aghabala Guliyev, Musa Naghiyev, Najafgulu Sadigov, and others, were elected as deputies to the Duma.

Following the implementation of a new city charter in 1892 in Baku, local self-governing entities began to operate with full authority in Ganja and with limited authority in cities such as Shamakhi, Guba, Lankaran, and Sheki.

In March 1918, subsequent to the widespread Turkic-Muslim massacres carried out by the Armenians, the Bolsheviks, who assumed control, disbanded the City Duma. On April 10, 1918, through a decree issued by the Committee of Revolutionary Defence of Baku and its surrounding regions, the Baku City Duma was officially dissolved and its responsibilities were transferred to a specialized urban economy department. The municipal governing body of Baku City, dismantled under Bolshevik rule, was promptly reinstated after the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic government, and municipal authorities began operating with increased independence during this time.

In 1920, following the collapse of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the installation of Soviet government, municipal activities were ceased, and municipal bodies did not resume operational duties during the Soviet era.

Following the establishment of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the determination of the legal standing of municipalities under the legal framework was initially included in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which was approved on 12 November 1995 during the leadership of the national figure Heydar Aliyev. Subsequent to this significant event, on 12 December 1999, the inception of municipalities commenced with the inaugural municipal elections. Substantial legislation was developed and enacted within the republic to establish the legal foundation of the local self-government system and oversee the operations of municipalities. These legislative acts, regulatory frameworks, and statutes encompass a wide range of municipal functions.

After the enactment of the new Constitution, legislative measures were put in place to align national and local peculiarities with the regulations outlined in the European Charter of Local Self-Government. These legislative acts encompassed various aspects such as the governance structure of municipalities, the rights and responsibilities of municipal members and employees, the financial framework of municipalities, the legal framework governing municipal property, and numerous other significant relationships. Examples of these laws in the Republic of Azerbaijan included those related to the “Status of Municipalities”, “Approval of the Model Statute of Municipality”, “Municipal Service”, “Basis of Finances of Municipalities”, “Transfer of Property to Municipal Ownership”, as well as decrees implementing these laws. These legislative measures delineated the legal standing of municipalities as an institution, the fundamental principles guiding their operations, and other pertinent aspects.

By the time the initial municipal elections took place in the Republic of Azerbaijan, a robust legal foundation for local self-governance had been established. During Heydar Aliyev’s tenure as the country’s leader, a total of 22 laws governing the realm of local self-government along with numerous other legislative acts were enacted.

As stipulated in Article 142 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, municipal self-governance is executed through municipalities which are established through electoral processes.

The initial local elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan occurred on December 12, 1999. Recognizing the significance of local self-governance, President Heydar Aliyev encouraged citizens to actively engage in the electoral process in his pre-election address. A total of 74 electoral districts and 4683 precinct election commissions were set up for these elections, involving 90.5 thousand individuals in the election organization. The majority of political parties officially recognized by the Ministry of Justice participated actively in the electoral process. The territorial election commissions consisted of representatives from political parties and public associations, accounting for 18% and 30% respectively. Over 5,000 members from 21 different political parties were selected to serve on precinct election commissions. A total of 35.6 thousand individuals were registered as candidates for 2667 municipal positions. Approximately 52.6% of the country’s 4,312,265 eligible voters participated in the election, resulting in the selection of 20456 municipal members.

Subsequent municipal elections occurred in 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019. The merging of municipalities in 2009 and 2014 led to a decrease in the number of municipalities in the country to 1,607.

Currently, the Republic of Azerbaijan has 1,606 municipalities. The Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated 30 September 2015, titled “Partial changes into territorial administrative division of the city of Nakhchivan and Babek district of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic”, led to the merging of Goshadizeh village’s territory with Babek settlement and the abolishment of the administrative-territorial district of Goshadizeh village. Subsequently, on 4 April 2016, Goshadizeh municipality was merged with Babek municipality, resulting in the decrease of municipalities in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic to 170 and nationwide to 1,606.

A proposal in the form of draft laws titled “On Establishment of New Municipalities through Merger of Municipalities in the Republic of Azerbaijan” was submitted to Milli Majlis in October 2024 as an amendment to the “List of Municipalities in the Republic of Azerbaijan”. The proposal aims to reduce the total number of municipalities by 922 units (57.4 per cent) to 684 through mergers.

Overall, there are over 15,000 members belonging to municipalities and more than 3,000 municipal employees across the entire country.

In accordance with Article 2 of the legislation of Azerbaijan titled “On the Status of Municipalities”, a municipality is defined as a type of local self-government operating within specified territorial limits as determined by law. Municipal entities are constituted through electoral processes and other entities established by municipalities, which are authorized to address matters of local importance that fall outside the purview of state entities.

Typically, municipalities are comprised of a municipal council, permanent and ad hoc committees, and an administrative arm. The legislation of Azerbaijan titled “On the Status of Municipalities” governs the functions and operations of each unit within the municipality.

Legislation governs the key aspects of local self-government, such as the establishment, approval, and implementation of the local budget, the imposition of local taxes and fees, the creation and enforcement of local social welfare programs, local economic and environmental initiatives, property relations, and territorial concerns.

Despite being autonomous entities, municipalities in Azerbaijan operate under the oversight of the state and civil society. As a component of civil society within the nation, municipalities bear accountability to both the state and society-at-large. They play a direct role in addressing socio-economic matters of local significance.

Recommended literature:

1. Azərbaycan Bələdiyyələri : qanunvericilik və təcrübə / tərt. A. Abbasov, Z. Məmmədova. - Bakı : [n. y.], 2003. - 24 s.
2. Azərbaycan Respublikasında bələdiyyələrin hüquqi bazası : qanunlar, fərmanlar, sərəncamlar, əsasnamələr / red. heyəti: Z. İ. Qaralov, S. Hüseynzadə, Ş. Əliyev. I kitab. - Bakı : Pedaqogika, 2002. - 248 s.
3. İlk Bakı bələdiyyələri : ensiklopedik-məlumat kitabı. - Bakı : Mütərcim, 2002. - 272 s.
4. Bələdiyyə qanunvericiliyinin mövcud vəziyyəti və inkişaf istiqamətləri / Mülki Cəmiyyətə Doğru Mərkəzi, Dünya Bankı, Avrasiya Fondu, Açıq Cəmiyyət İnstitutu - Yardım Fondu ; red. E. Məmmədli. - Bakı : Nağıl evi, 2004. - 216 s.
5. Səlimzadə, Mehdi İldırım oğlu. Yerli özünüidarəetmə : anlayış, təcrübə, əməkdaşlıq, hüquqi əsaslar / M. İ. Səlimzadə, Q. R. Xəlilov. - Bakı : Elm və təhsil, 2010. - 132 s.
6. İsmayılov, Xəyyam Cəbrayıl oğlu. Azərbaycanda məhkəmə və yerli özünüidarəetmə orqanları: XIX əsr - XX əsrin əvvəlləri : monoqrafiya / X. C. İsmayılov ; elmi red. M. F. Məlikova ; Bakı Dövlət Universiteti. - Bakı : Elm və təhsil, 2020. - 584 s.