Observers criticise Azeri vote

Election day was hit by "serious irregularities," say observers

The European security organisation, the OSCE, says Azerbaijan's parliamentary elections on Sunday were marred by serious irregularities.

The head of the OSCE's observer mission in Azerbaijan, Paula Kokkonen, told a news conference that 150 monitors had documented ballot-stuffing, intimidation of opposition party members, and the manipulation of turnout figures.

Most of us observers have been deeply disappointed by one of the most undemocratic observations we have had to make

Andreas Gross, Council of Europe

She also said the counting process was completely flawed.

The OSCE's comments support opposition allegations of widespread irregularities, and follow claims of victory made by both the ruling New Azerbaijan Party and its rival, Musavat.

The Azerbaijan election commission says results so far show that New Azerbaijan, the party of President Haydar Aliyev, is well ahead with more than 74% of the vote.

Council of Europe

Mr Aliyev had earlier claimed victory, saying his party had won a clear majority.

But Musavat said it had taken 50% of the ballot.

"We will resist these results to the end," Musavat leader Isa Gambar said.

"If this situation continues, we will refuse to recognise these elections as legitimate."

President Aliyev casts his vote

The conduct of the poll will be a major factor in helping the Council of Europe to decide, when it meets on Tuesday, whether to admit Azerbaijan as a member.

Candidates from 12 parties and one electoral bloc competed for 124 seats - 99 to be determined by individual races, and 25 to be distributed among parties on a proportional basis.

The vote was Azerbaijan's second parliamentary election since the Caspian state became independent after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union.