Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan`s presidential elections were held in compliance with European standards, the head of the Turkish Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation said.
Akkan Suver said the 25-member Turkish delegation, which observed October 15 elections in 69 polling stations in Baku and Sumgayit, witnessed adequate conditions for holding a democratic election.
"I saw a picture that I did not expect at all," Suver told a news conference Thursday. "There was a democratic climate in the country. I congratulate the Azerbaijani people on their decent choice. I believe that President Ilham Aliyev will justify the hopes of his people during his second term, as well," he said.
Other members of the Marmara Group also said the Azerbaijani elections were held on a highly professional level.
According to preliminary data released by the Central Election Commission (CEC), the candidate of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, Ilham Aliyev, won 88.64% of the votes. Igbal Agazada of the opposition Umid Party gained 2.78% of votes, while Fazil Gazanfaroglu of the opposition Great Establishment Party won 2.4%, Gudrat Hasanguliyev of the opposition Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party - 2.22%, independent candidate Gulamhuseyn Alibayli received 2.18%, Fuad Aliyev of the opposition Azerbaijan Liberal Democrat Party 0.74% and Hafiz Hajiyev of the pro-government Modern Musavat Party collected 0.61%.