Mammadov was born on October 18, 1950, in
Khojaly,
Azerbaijan. He graduated from the Mathematics Department of Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University and
Academy of Public Administration. Since 1973, he worked as a teacher, assistant director and director at a school in Khojaly. In 1985–1987, he was the head of
party organization at dairy
sovkhoz. In 1987–1991, he was the chairman of
Khojaly Executive Committee. In 1991–2000, he was the Mayor of Khojaly,
in exile since February 26, 1992. Elman Mammadov was also responsible for the self-defense detachments in Khojaly and was one of the survivors of
Khojaly Massacre, who along with Commandant of Khojaly Airport
Alif Hajiyev led one of the crowds of escaping Azerbaijani civilians out of Khojaly and came under Armenian fire. The civilian population was not fully evacuated, despite Mammadov's insistent demands. Thirty members of Mammadov's family were killed during the massacre. His account of what had happened in Khojaly were filmed by journalist
Chingiz Mustafayev. ==Political career==