An exit poll in Azerbaijan's February 9 parliamentary elections suggests President Ilham Aliyev's ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) has increased its share by four seats in the single-chamber legislature and only one opposition candidate has won a seat.
Azerbaijan's ruling party declares victory in parliamentary elections
STEPANAKERT, FEBRUARY 10, ARTSAKHPRESS: The exit poll conducted by the U.S.-based firm Arthur J. Finkelstein & Associates suggests YAP won a total of 69 seats in the 125-seat parliament, RFE/RL reported. The YAP had 65 seats in the outgoing parliament, the Milli Majlis. The exit poll also suggests that Azerbaijan's nominally independent candidates, most of whom support the policies of the YAP, won 41 seats in the elections. According to the exit poll, the only opposition candidate expected to make it into the next parliament is Erkin Gadirli of the Republican Alternative Civic Movement (REAL). Aliyev's YAP declared victory during the early morning hours of February 10. A statement on the party's website said: "Exit poll results make us think that New Azerbaijan got a majority of votes."
