Although the results of parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan were predictable, the last elections showed a voter turnout within 50% against the previous 67.5%, Gagik Harutyunyan, Director of the Noravank research center told journalists Nov. 8.

“A 15% decline in the turnout was registered. With the elections technologies applied in Azerbaijan considered, we can say for sure that only 30 to 35 percent of voters actually participated in the elections,” he said. The expert believes that the Azerbaijani public is somewhat indifferent about the elections.

In the 2005 parliamentary elections the Opposition was rather active, holding rallies and actions of protests, whereas it was passive and indifferent during this year’s elections. “We can say that everyone has put up with the present situation in Azerbaijan. I disagree with some analysis who compare Azerbaijan to Nazi Germany. In fact, Azerbaijan is a typical sultanate,” Harutyunyan said.

According to the expert, the public indifference to the parliamentary elections and political processes in the country is evidence thereof.

Harutyunyan finds it difficult to forecast how many seats the coalition formed by the Musavat and the Popular Front of Azerbaijan may have in the new Azeri Parliament, as the majority election system complicates analysis of preliminary results.

NEWS.am reminds readers that, according to the preliminary election results, the ruling party New Azerbaijan will get 68 of the 125 seats in the new Parliament. First Lady Mehriban Alieva received 94.49% of votes in one of the constituencies. The former parliament speaker Oktay Asadov, as well as former vice-speakers Ziyafet Askerov and Bahar Muradova, is getting into Parliament. The head of the Russian community in Azerbaijan Mikhail Zabelin has got into Parliament once again.

A total of 690 candidates were struggling for 125 seats. The previous parliamentary elections were held in November 2005.