[1] Students and state workers were coerced into attending pro-Aliyev rallies and were also bussed to polling places to vote for Aliyev.

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, IRFS and RSF, the media (state-owned and private) showed bias in favor of Aliyev's candidacy.

[7] The OSCE said that there was progress in the elections compared to past ones, however it did not meet international standards,[8] because of the lack of competition to incumbent Ilham Aliyev.

[9] The NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, declared "He welcomes reports from the international election observers from OSCE, Council of Europe and the European Parliament indicating progress in the conduct of Azerbaijan’s presidential elections on 15 October 2008.

"[10] Avez Temirhan of the election-boycotting Azerbaijan Liberal Party said, "This leadership is not legitimate and its election does not reflect the will of the people.