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Opposition boycotts Azeri polls Opposition boycotts Azeri polls
(about 6 hours later)
Azerbaijan is voting in a presidential election which is being boycotted by the main opposition parties. The polls have closed in Azerbaijan's presidential election, which has been boycotted by the main opposition political parties.
Incumbent President Ilham Aliyev is expected to easily beat the remaining six rivals from smaller parties to secure a second five-year term. Incumbent Ilham Aliyev is expected to easily beat his remaining six rivals to secure a second five-year term.
The main opposition says the poll is a sham because it has not had a chance to run a democratic campaign as a result of government restrictions. First results from the poll are due later on Wednesday.
The authorities in the energy-rich country deny the allegations. Government officials deny opposition claims that it did not have a chance to compete in a democratic campaign because of restrictions.
They have installed web cameras at some polling stations to allow people to monitor events on the internet.They have installed web cameras at some polling stations to allow people to monitor events on the internet.
Some 400 observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe are monitoring the poll. Some 400 observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe are monitoring the poll in the energy-rich country.
First results are expected later on Wednesday. Mr Aliyev came to power in the 2003 election, taking over from his late father Heydar - an autocratic ruler who was himself president for 10 years, the BBC's Rayhan Demytrie in Baku says.
Ilham Aliyev came to power in the 2003 election, taking over from his late father Heydar - an autocratic ruler who was himself president for 10 years, the BBC's Rayhan Demytrie in Baku says.
Azerbaijan is rich in oil and gas and it is home to the only existing pipeline which flows Caspian oil to Europe via Georgia and Turkey, bypassing Russia.Azerbaijan is rich in oil and gas and it is home to the only existing pipeline which flows Caspian oil to Europe via Georgia and Turkey, bypassing Russia.
But the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia has raised fears that this supply might come under threat, our correspondent says.But the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia has raised fears that this supply might come under threat, our correspondent says.