Azernews.Az

BAKU – An Azerbaijani court on Monday approved the outcomes of the November 7 parliamentary elections.

According to the decision, passed by the Constitutional Court chairman Farhad Abdullayev, the elections were conducted in full compliance with the country’s Election Code and Constitution. The tallies rendered as null and void in 46 polling stations did not affect the overall outcome of the vote.

Mazahir Panahov, the Central Election Commission (CEC) chairman, voiced his content with the Constitutional Court’s decision. "I believe that all of the requirements on holding a modern, democratic, fair and transparent election were overfulfilled."

But Gulagha Aslanli, a CEC member from the opposition Musavat party, claimed the decision was unfair.

"This decision was known beforehand…I still think that the approval of this election’s results is no good for the Azerbaijani statehood and people."

690 candidates stood in the parliamentary elections. Parliament members were elected for a five-year term under the majority of votes.

The ruling Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party (YAP) gained a 72-seat majority in the 125-member legislature. 13 candidates representing 10 other parties were elected to the Milli Majlis as well. Independent candidates claimed the remaining 40 seats.

Azerbaijan’s major opposition parties that failed to win seats in parliament said they do not recognize the election outcomes and demanded a re-run of the vote.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) said Azerbaijan’s elections were conducted technically well, but "the conditions necessary for a meaningful democratic election were not established."

The US State Department said the elections did not comply with democratic standards and called to hold accountable those responsible for alleged electoral fraud.