Azernews.Az

The presidential election in Azerbaijan has been held in a fair, free, and transparent atmosphere, as well as in line with international standards, member of the U.S. observation mission, former congressman Michael McMahon said at a press conference on the results of the election in the country on October 9.

He said the U.S. observation mission consisting of 47 people visited Azerbaijan to monitor the presidential election.

They observed the election in more than 250 polling stations in Baku and other regions.

McMahon noted the U.S. delegation included former congressmen, political figures, political commentators, and journalists.

He said members of the mission had found no violations of the law while monitoring the elections.

"We had conversations with representatives of presidential candidates, political parties, and observers. They also hailed the course of voting," he said.

The presidential election voting, which took place on Wednesday, was completed at 19:00 local time throughout Azerbaijan.

According to the first results, incumbent President Ilham Aliyev won the elections.

This year ten candidates compete for the top job, including chairman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, President Aliyev, Umid Party leader Igbal Aghazade, self-nominated candidate Zahid Oruj, chairman of the United Popular Front Party Gudrat Hasanguliyev, Modern Musavat party leader Hafiz Hajiyev, Azerbaijan Social Democratic Party chairman Araz Alizade, National Revival Party leader Faraj Guliyev, chairman of the Adalat (Justice) party Ilyas Ismayilov, Jamil Hasanli from the opposition National Council as well as chairman of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party Sardar Jalaloghlu.

The number of eligible voters in the country is nearly 5,145,000. The voting is conducted in 5,492 polling stations. Thirty-eight polling stations were set up abroad.