OSCE ODIHR, OSCE PA, PACE statement on the election
"The restrictive legislation and political environment prevented genuine competition in Azerbaijan’s early parliamentary elections, international observers said in a preliminary statement published today. Although some prospective candidates were denied the right to stand, candidate registration was otherwise inclusive. Despite a large number of candidates, voters were not provided with a meaningful choice, due to a lack of real political discussion, the statement says."
Read the rest of the statement here.
The wrap up of yesterday's vote
- 64 members of the ruling party made it to the parliament;
- 47,81% of voter activity was reported;
- one reported death at the precinct - Subhan Hajiyev, a member with consultative voting rights representing parliamentary candidate Movsum Aslanov;
- one precinct had people dance;
- ballot stuffing caught on cameras across the country;
- ambulance driving voters around;
- pressure against observers;
- physical violence against journalists;
- ballot count fraud recorded and reported when across several precincts separate ballots were mixed by the members of the local election committees among the original ballots;
Vote count rigging
Polls close
As clocks hit 19:00 PM local time, all polls officially close and the vote count begins.