Azeri opposition rejects vote result
The main opposition coalition, Azadliq (Freedom), called for results to be annulled in four-fifths of Azerbaijan's 125 districts, while observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Sunday's vote failed to meet standards for democratic elections.
Head of the Musavat party, Isa Gambar, said: "The Azadliq bloc declares it does not recognise the results of the elections ... and it says it will have the strength to overturn the results and conduct new elections."
The opposition is planning a demonstration for tomorrow, he said.
Results and exit polls gave President Ilham Aliev's ruling New Azerbaijan Party the lead in the election in the oil-rich former Soviet republic, where claims of vote-rigging have led to violence in the past. The West has a strong interest in stability in the nation, which sits on a critical axis between Russia and Iran.
According to the Central Election Commission, candidates from the New Azerbaijan Party were leading in 62 precincts, with independents who could include ruling party loyalists ahead in 42, and opposition candidates leading in 10. Most set to win seats were incumbents.
The assessment by the OSCE, Europe's leading security body, cited irregularities in the vote count and restrictions on the right to free assembly. The finding is likely to bolster the anger of opposition parties.
It said observers saw attempts to influence voters, unauthorised people directing or interfering in the voting process, and examples of ballot box stuffing. It said the checking of voters' fingers for traces of ink to prevent multiple voting was not followed in 11% of polling stations it visited.
The group added that domestic observers and members of polling station commissions were expelled from some sites.
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