The Commissioner for Human Rights and her staff members carried out observation of municipal elections

One of the main activity directions of the institution of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan is to ensure and protect the electoral rights of citizens.

On December 23, 2019, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Sabina Aliyeva, staff members of the Office and Ganja, Shaki, Jalilabad and Guba Regional Centers of the Ombudsman observed the municipal elections in 518 polling stations over 73 election constituencies, including in military units and penitentiary institutions in Baku, as well as in 49 cities and districts of the country.

The Ombudsman observed the election process at several polling stations in the districts of Baku, including the station organized in Training-Education Center of the Ministry of Defense. She visited the administrative buildings of Khazar-Pirallahi No.13 and II Khatai district No.34 constituency election commissions, supplied with modern equipment, information-communication technologies and web cameras. The Ombudsman met with chairpersons and members of commissions, got familiar with the general situation on election, put forward her proposals and recommendations. She also met with members of precinct election commissions, observers and voters, got relevant information about voting process.

Furthermore, at the end of each hour information was provided by staff of the Ombudsman Office attending the process as observers in different regions of the republic, thus the situation of election process and ensuring the voters’ rights was under control.

It was seen that the observers representing political parties, non-governmental organizations, also neutral independent observers took part in this process in mutual respect environment, fulfilled their obligations within the scope of competences. No case of interference by representatives of state bodies, including executive authority bodies or police officers encountered in the course of observation process.

Citizens’ voting rights were ensured, appropriate conditions were established for implementing voting rights of persons with disabilities, elderly and persons suffering from different diseases.

It was observed that election stations were supplied with chip readers for reading new generation of identity cards, web cameras had been installed by Central Election Commission in numerous stations, and real conditions were available for election observation.

At the same time, several cases not affecting the results of election were monitored, and prevention of those issues was provided by applying to the chair of station. Constituency election commission was informed about that as well.

On the day of election, no complaint was addressed to the Ombudsman or hotline service with regard to violation of voting rights.

Municipal elections were held in accordance with the Constitution of the country, Election Code and international standards and this confirms again the commitment of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the principles of legal and democratic state-building, ensuring human rights and strengthening the statehood traditions.