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On 11 April 2018 the Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova and the staff of the Ombudsman Office also of Ganja, Sheki, Jalilabad and Guba Regional Centers observed Presidential elections in 371 polling stations of 103 constituencies in Baku and 53 cities and regions of the country, including Jojug Marjanli, settlements of refugees and IDPs, military units and jail as independent observers.  

As an independent observer the Ombudsman observed the election process in a numerous polling station of some constituencies in Districts of Baku, as well in a jail under the Penitentiary Service, Training center of the Ministry of Defence. At the same time, the Ombudsman received information from her staff participating as observers in different parts of the country every hour, kept control over the situation regarding election process.  

In the course of the observation, the Ombudsman met with the precinct election commission members, as well as the observers, voters and learned their views about the election process. E. Suleymanova also met with observers representing influential international organizations and got acquainted with their impressions.

Those persons emphasized that the elections were conducted in accordance with high voter turnout, discipline, in line with election rules and they didn’t observe shortcomings.

On the voting day the Commissioner summarized the outcomes of the observations and coming to the CEC Elections Information Center informed the general public via mass media.

No complaint or appeal was addressed to the Ombudsman on violation of the right to vote on the election day.

The outcome of the observation shows that in general, the presidential elections were conducted in a democratic, free, transparent, fair manner, in accordance with the election legislation and international standards.

The right of persons to vote was ensured, conditions were created for persons with disabilities.  Cases of abuse, interference of the representatives of any governmental agency, executive body and police were not observed.