In presidential election in Azerbaijan, authoritarian ruling Ilcham Aliyev was re-elected by a large majority. According to first projections, 56-year-old incumbent received more than 80 percent of votes – local media in capital of Baku reported almost 90 percent.
Around 5.3 million Azeris were called to vote; According to media reports, turnout was around 69 percent. In addition to Aliyev, seven or candidates were elected, but none of m received more than five percent of vote. Opposition leaders spoke in advance of bogus candidates to be able to legitimise election.
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Aliyev ruled former Soviet republic for 15 years and is now ahead of its fourth term – after a constitutional amendment in 2016, this seven will last instead of previous five years. The election was originally planned for autumn, but was preferred on April. The Government justified decision by giving important events in autumn. The opposition responded by calling for a boycott of elections.
Opposition suspects voter fraud
Critics see country as a family dynasty – before Aliyev his far was Gejdar president, and Aliyev made his wife Mehriban Alijewa vice-president. “All recent elections in Azerbaijan have been forged and held under blatant violations of electoral law,” said Natig Schafarli of opposition Republican alternative movement. “These elections will not be an exception.” The head of Electoral Commission, Masahir Panachow, said that all conditions for “democratic and transparent elections” were given.
Official results of election will be announced in coming days. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will also make an initial assessment of legitimacy of election. The OSCE had sent around 280 election observers to country.
