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Opposition cries foul in Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The voting public in Azerbaijan had its democratic voice stolen by the incumbent, Ilham Aliyev, his main rival told supporters.

International election monitors questioned the fairness of Wednesday's presidential elections in Azerbaijan. Aliyev secured a third term in office, though the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said there may have been instances of ballot tampering.

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Opposition leader Jamil Hasanli took less than 10 percent of the votes. He told his supporters during a weekend rally their vote was stolen.

"What happened was an incident without any fairness, laws, or morality," he was quoted by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty as saying Sunday.

Hasanli, who represented the united opposition, said he'd make his case to U.S. and European leaders. The United States and European Union both said that while Election Day was peaceful, there were concerns about the fairness of the contest.

Ali Hasanov, a director from Aliyev's administration, was quoted as saying the OSCE criticism was "biased."

Aliyev took over from his father in 2003.

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