Let the protests begin!

The OSCE has released its preliminary report [PDF] into the Azerbaijan elections. Their conclusion? The elections were a sham and "did not meet international standards". The campaign was marred by pervasive media bias in favour of the ruling party, as well as

interference of local authorities, disproportionate use of force to thwart rallies, arbitrary detentions, restrictive interpretations of campaign provisions, unbalanced composition of election commissions and the failure of those commissions to effectively address a number of issues.

And on the day itself, they observed

attempts to influence voter choices, unauthorized persons interfering in, or directing, the process, as well as cases of ballot stuffing.

As well as many a breakdown in procedures designed to prevent multiple voting. The count was marred by deliberate tampering with the results and failure to meet basic standards in 43% of polling places observed. In short, the election was fixed - though not very well, given that even after all that, the ruling party won only a bare majority.

Let the protests begin!