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Azerbaijan elections: Ilham Aliyev eyes third term Azerbaijan leader Ilham Aliyev re-elected - exit polls
(about 5 hours later)
The people of oil-rich Azerbaijan are voting in an election in which the incumbent President, Ilham Aliyev, is expected to win a third term in office. The leader of oil-rich Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has won more than 83% of votes as he seeks a third term as president, exit polls suggest.
The president has not even run an election campaign, so confident is he of victory, a BBC correspondent says. The president did not even run an election campaign, so confident was he of victory, a BBC correspondent says.
Opposition activists circulated photos and videos appearing to show individuals casting multiple ballots - though these could not be verified.Opposition activists circulated photos and videos appearing to show individuals casting multiple ballots - though these could not be verified.
Mr Aliyev inherited the presidency from his father, Heydar Aliyev.Mr Aliyev inherited the presidency from his father, Heydar Aliyev.
He has stifled dissent and pushed through a constitutional referendum scrapping presidential term limits.He has stifled dissent and pushed through a constitutional referendum scrapping presidential term limits.
Human rights groups say in the run-up to the elections the government has launched an unprecedented crackdown on its critics. Human rights groups say in the run-up to the elections the government launched an unprecedented crackdown on its critics.
But political opposition in the country of nine million has also been blunted by prosperity, with oil wealth more than tripling gross domestic product.But political opposition in the country of nine million has also been blunted by prosperity, with oil wealth more than tripling gross domestic product.
Apathy and fear 'Apathy and fear'
The main opposition candidate, representing a coalition of parties, is history professor Jamil Hasanli, 61. As voting closed on Wednesday, exit polls put the main opposition candidate, Jamil Hasanli, trailing on about 8% of the vote. Mr Hasanli, a 61-year-old history professor, represents a coalition of parties.
He told reporters earlier in the day that his campaign had witnessed "cases of ballot stuffing at a number of polling stations".
"Regrettably, many government officials are involved in falsification, becoming accomplices of a grave crime,'' he was quoted as saying.
Other challengers include five MPs and two low-profile opposition figures. Critics say some are in collusion with the government and only in the race to dilute the opposition vote.Other challengers include five MPs and two low-profile opposition figures. Critics say some are in collusion with the government and only in the race to dilute the opposition vote.
The BBC's Rayhan Demytrie says that none is expected to present a serious challenge to the president who enjoys immense power after inheriting the presidency from his father in 2003 and who will be standing for a third term. The BBC's Rayhan Demytrie says that none was expected to present a serious challenge to the president, who enjoys immense power after inheriting the presidency from his father in 2003.
Mr Aliyev abolished a two-term presidential limit in a controversial referendum in 2009.Mr Aliyev abolished a two-term presidential limit in a controversial referendum in 2009.
International monitors have said that the pre-election atmosphere has been characterised by a combination of apathy and fear.International monitors have said that the pre-election atmosphere has been characterised by a combination of apathy and fear.
A recent Human Rights Watch report said that in the last year the government had intensified its crackdown on civil society and passed a number of laws to curtail any form of dissent, including a $10,000 (£6,000) fine for organising or attending an unsanctioned rally.A recent Human Rights Watch report said that in the last year the government had intensified its crackdown on civil society and passed a number of laws to curtail any form of dissent, including a $10,000 (£6,000) fine for organising or attending an unsanctioned rally.
One rights group has said that the number of political prisoners has doubled in advance of the elections.One rights group has said that the number of political prisoners has doubled in advance of the elections.
Opposition figures are starved of any publicity on national TV channels.Opposition figures are starved of any publicity on national TV channels.
However, many Azerbaijanis do support the president, with many citing the increase in living standards. However, many Azerbaijanis do support the president, often citing the increase in living standards.
In the decade since Mr Aliyev succeeded his father, Azerbaijan has been through a boom that has raised living standards. One voter, Iskander Kerimov, said: "I voted for the president, because he is the person who secured stability in the republic during the past 10 years of his rule, and we saw clear results of his activity.
One voter, Iskander Kerimov, said: "I voted for the president, because he is the person who secured stability in the republic during the past 10 years of his rule and we saw clear results of his activity.
"I think he will be working hard in the future as well for the sake of the country, for the sake of stability, peace and prosperity.""I think he will be working hard in the future as well for the sake of the country, for the sake of stability, peace and prosperity."
But dissent has grown over what critics describe as the country's endemic corruption and a large divide between rich and poor. In the decade since Mr Aliyev succeeded his father, Azerbaijan has been through an economic boom.
Even so, dissent has grown over what critics describe as the country's endemic corruption and a large divide between rich and poor.
Azerbaijan is an important supplier of oil and natural gas for European markets.Azerbaijan is an important supplier of oil and natural gas for European markets.
The president has courted Western states attracted by its strategic location and status as a producer and transporter of oil and gas.The president has courted Western states attracted by its strategic location and status as a producer and transporter of oil and gas.
Oil multinationals BP, ExxonMobil and other Western companies have invested billions of dollars to tap into Azerbaijan's oil riches.Oil multinationals BP, ExxonMobil and other Western companies have invested billions of dollars to tap into Azerbaijan's oil riches.
An oil pipeline supported by the US and the European Union to pump Azerbaijani crude oil via Georgia to Turkey - bypassing Russia - went into operation in 2005.An oil pipeline supported by the US and the European Union to pump Azerbaijani crude oil via Georgia to Turkey - bypassing Russia - went into operation in 2005.
The pipeline is seen as an important part of the West's aim of reducing Europe's dependence on Russian energy resources.The pipeline is seen as an important part of the West's aim of reducing Europe's dependence on Russian energy resources.