Statement by the Ombudsman on Observations Conducted on Election Day

The Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, made a public statement regarding the observations conducted during the municipal elections held on the 29th of January.

The Ombudsman highlighted that; observations were conducted at polling stations established across the country and that the necessary conditions, as stipulated by law, were provided at the polling stations to ensure that citizens could exercise their electoral rights.

Indicating the good experience from previous years, the Ombudsman said that the Ombudsman Office and the Ombudsman Office of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, in total 72 employees, independently observed municipal elections at 708 polling stations within 101 constituencies across the country. These observations took place in Baku, 37 other cities and districts within the country, and in the autonomous republic. 

Furthermore, observations were carried out at polling stations organized in the Training and Education Center of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, and 16 penitentiary institutions.

Furthermore, it was also noted that during the observations, the Ombudsman directly met with members of precinct election commissions, observers, and voters to learn their opinions about the voting process. There were no instances of infractions or interference by any state agencies, including police officers or officials of executive authority.

In the statement, the Ombudsman stated that, on election day, we have not received any complaints or appeals regarding the violation of electoral rights, and according to our findings, the elections were conducted in an orderly manner, with high voter turnout, and in a democratic, free, transparent, and fair manner, and in compliance with election legislation and international standards.

Outlining the activities carried out ahead of the upcoming municipal elections, the Ombudsman said that from the day the decision to hold the elections was officially announced, our Institution, conducted observations in designated open and closed areas created for election propaganda by candidates, and assessed the state of ensuring citizens' electoral rights and compliance with election legislation requirements.

In conclusion, the Ombudsman emphasized that citizens' fundamental right to vote was ensured in accordance with the legislation during the municipal elections.