Opposition claims violations at Azerbaijani election

In Azerbaijan, at the early presidential election, during first seven hours of voting, over three million people had voted, the Central Election Commission (CEC) has reported. However, oppositional activists tell about "roundabouts" (carrousels) and observers' non-admission to polling stations.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the early presidential election in Azerbaijan takes place on April 11. Eight candidates run for the post, including the incumbent Ilham Aliev.

On April 11, by 3:00 p.m. Baku time, a total of 3,227,817, or 60.74% of the voters on the list, had cast their ballots, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed at the CEC of Azerbaijan.

Sardar Djalaloglu, a presidential candidate and the leader of Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, has stated "numerous violations" during today's voting.

"Unfortunately, traditional falsifications have continued at today's elections," Mr Djalaloglu told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his version, such "operation" as the so-called "carrousel" was used, that is, when one person was voting at several polling stations; besides, facts of non-admission of observers to polling stations were registered.

He has also noted a low voter turnout. "The turnout is very low. There are polling stations, where by noon just 4-5 persons had voted," he said.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.