Ombudsman Institution: A comparative analysis of Turkey and Azerbaijan

The main purpose of the audit mechanisms in public administration is to ensure the legality of the activities of public institutions, to prevent the administration from making arbitrary decrees and to protect the rights of citizens. In fact, audit mechanism is not only an integral part of the governance process but also a critical building block of a democratic states.Although this concept has been divided into internal and external audits over time, its purpose has always remained the same. As a result, it has played an important role in improving the functioning of public institutions, ensuring public order and especially in securing accountability. In this study, a comparison is made with reference to the examples of Türkiye and Azerbaijan.Public audit institutions in both countries are also examined in terms of their structural characteristics and legal foundations, together with their reflections in practice. Document analysis, one of the qualitative research techniques, is preferred as a research method. In addition, the place of the ombudsman institution in public administration, its powers, the application process and the supervisory role of these institutions on public administration are also examined. The close relationship between administration and audit is also evaluated and how this relationship can limit public power and be used in favor of the citizens is revealed. As a result of the research, it is observed that although the ombudsman institutions in Türkiye and Azerbaijan are similar in terms of constitutional foundations, there are some differences in terms of practice and social effects. In both countries, it can be said that these institutions contribute to the rule of law, take an impartial stance in the supervision of administrative actions and increase public accountability.