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. 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.