Voting begins in Azerbaijan as President Aliyev expected to extend rule

Polls opened on Wednesday in an early presidential election in Azerbaijan, where incumbent Ilham Aliyev is expected to win by a landslide, extending his 15-year rule, AP said. The presidential election had been due in the fall but was moved forward to April. Officials explained the move was made because the country would be busy with various high-profile events in late 2018. Aliyev has led the country since 2003, when he succeeded his father. Recent surveys put support for him at over 80 percent.