Observers: violations at presidential election in Azerbaijan continued throughout the whole voting day

The October 9 presidential election in Azerbaijan was not fair, free and democratic, says the joint statement of the Centre for Monitoring Elections and Democracy Training (CMEDT) and the Public Association for International Cooperation of Volunteers (PAICV).

According to observers, the country had failed to create equal opportunities for political competition; and all stages of the election campaign, the voting day and the vote tabulation were accompanied by widespread violations.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that by the results of counting of the ballots received from all the 5492 polling stations. Ilham Aliev has won 84.55% of all the votes cast. The voter turnout exceeded 72%.

Meanwhile, according to results of monitoring, the turnout was less than 50%.

"Many falsifications have been made possible due to the fact that election commissions are composed of members of the ruling party and the people under their control. The chairs of all the election commissions are appointed by the ruling party; they are, basically, the heads of state institutions – schools, colleges, clinics, hospitals, etc.," said Anar Mamedli, the chairman of the CMEDT.

Observers urged to immediately investigate all the complaints and appeals and punish those who have violated the law. They also offer to improve the Electoral Code in collaboration with local socio-political organizations and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.