Baku, April 11, AZERTAC

Polling stations opened throughout Azerbaijan at 8 a.m. on April 11, as the country`s citizens start casting ballots for one of the eight presidential candidates.

The voting is conducted 5,641 polling stations in 125 constituencies, of which 5,426 are permanent and 215 are located in Azerbaijan’s embassies, consulates general and permanent representations in foreign countries, as well as in ships navigating under the country`s national flag in the Caspian Sea and international waters, military units, sanatoriums, treatment and correctional facilities.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) issued a total of 5,347,803 ballot papers for the election.

All constituencies were provided with computers and other necessary equipment.

The computers are connected to the State Automated Information System by optical fiber cables to ensure immediate delivery of available information to CEC`s “Sechkiler” information center.

On the Election Day, the Central Election Commission will issue five reports (10.00, 12.00, 15.00, 17.00, and 19.00) through the State Automated Information System, which will be available at the commission’s official websites (www.msk.gov.az; www.cec.gov.az; www.infocenter.gov.az).

1000 polling stations are equipped with webcams (except in voting booths) to provide internet users with an opportunity to watch the whole voting process online. The list of the webcam-equipped polling stations is available at CEC`s websites, and was published in the press.

The number of eligible voters in the country is 5,314,365.

The voting is monitored by 894 international observers who are citizens of 59 countries and represent 61 international organizations, and 58,175 local observers.

The election is covered by 118 representatives of more than 50 foreign media outlets.

Polling stations close at 19.00.