The Ombudsman Office conducted the first educational event in collaboration with the Central Election Commission regarding the upcoming early presidential elections

The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in collaboration with the Central Election Commission (CEC), organized the first educational event on 'Ensuring the Electoral Rights of Citizens' in connection with the upcoming early presidential elections. Representatives of both institutions, as well as media representatives, participated in the event.

Opening the event, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission, Mazahir Panahov, emphasized that elections are a fundamental pillar of democracy, and that every citizen should approach this process with responsibility. He also highlighted the significant role of mass media in the electoral process and provided comprehensive information to the participants about the measures taken by the Commission in cooperation  with relevant state institutions to improve electoral legislation and practices.

The Ombudsman, Sabina Aliyeva, highlighted that the educational events organized jointly with the CEC, across the country are specifically aimed at preparing for the upcoming elections, and providing clearer explanations about electoral rights, election procedures, and the responsibilities incumbent upon us.

S. Aliyeva also noted that the most crucial way for any nation to express its will is through democratic and free elections to state governance bodies, and this process holds significant importance in the life of our people and for our democratic and legal state. It was also noted that the Ombudsman Institution takes continuous efforts to address not only electoral rights but also other rights, ensuring effective ensuring and protecting citizens' and political rights, as well as keeps a constant focus on the situation of ensuring electoral rights in the country, learns the situation of protecting and ensuring citizens' electoral rights, and organizes a series of joint awareness-raising events with the CEC.

The Ombudsman emphasized the importance of more effective provision of electoral rights, including creating  conditions for everyone, including persons with disabilities to vote and express their will independently. She also highlighted the need to expand opportunities for voters with visual impairments to vote using Braille stencils, as well as to continue providing subtitles for all videos to inform voters with limited hearing, and suggested producing more videos related to the topic for the purpose of raising awareness and ensuring rights to suffrage.

Afterwards, the Secretary of the CEC, Mikayil Rahimov, delivered a speech, providing extensive information about the work carried out by the CEC during the upcoming presidential elections and the planned measures to be implemented.

The Chief of the Ombudsman Office, Aydin Safikhanli, speaking about “The importance of the Observation Institute and the Role of the Ombudsman in this Process”, noted the significance of the application of the observation institute during the election process, which serves the principles of transparency and opennes in the election process, as well as the more effective provision of the right to vote. A. Safikhanli also pointed out that the observation institute enables not only the identification of potential shortages in ensuring citizens' rights to suffrage during the election process, but also contributes to increasing citizen participation in political processes and evaluating the conduct of the election process in accordance with the country's legislation and international standards, and provided information about the Ombudsman Institution's experience in observation.