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Opposition boycotts Azeri polls Aliyev claims Azeri poll victory
(about 3 hours later)
The polls have closed in Azerbaijan's presidential election, which has been boycotted by the main opposition political parties. Supporters of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev say he has won a second five-year term, in a poll boycotted by the main opposition parties.
Incumbent Ilham Aliyev is expected to easily beat his remaining six rivals to secure a second five-year term. Exit polls suggested Mr Aliyev had gained more than 80% of the vote, defeating six remaining rivals.
First results from the poll are due later on Wednesday.First results from the poll are due later on Wednesday.
Government officials deny opposition claims that it did not have a chance to compete in a democratic campaign because of restrictions.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 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 in the energy-rich country. Some 400 observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe monitored the poll in the energy-rich country.
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.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.
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 that 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.