Opposition Cries “Foul” According to preliminary results issued by Azerbaijan’s Central Election Commission, the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party headed by President Ilham Aliyev won 71 of the 125 seats in yesterday’s parliamentary elections. The party’s victory was a foregone conclusion from the start. Voter apathy resulted in a turnout of only 50%. Some opposition forces didn’t even bother to contest certain seats. Even the decision by the two main opposition parties, Musavat and the Popular Front, to join forces had little tangible impact. Several pro-Aliyev parties were among the 23 that contested the election. With the seats they won, a stable ruling majority was created. Election monitors were split as to their assessment of the process. The CEC and monitors from the Commonwealth of Independent States declared the vote free and fair. Opposition claims that widespread fraud marred the elections was backed up by the OSCE which cited credible reports of voter intimidation. The OSCE observers are scheduled to issue their evaluation later today. Photo: Vugar Amrullaev; Reuters