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Armenian poll demonstrates progress, observers say
[May 14, 2007]
YEREVAN, 13 May 2007 - In a joint statement today, the International Election
Observation Mission for the 12 May parliamentary elections in Armenia concluded
that the elections demonstrated improvement from previous ones and were largely
in accordance with international commitments, although some issues remain unaddressed.
The mission commended steps taken by the Armenian authorities to address serious
shortcomings, including amendments to the Election Code. The election campaign
was dynamic with extensive media coverage. Election day was calm, with no major
incidents reported, but a few cases of fraud schemes were observed. Some procedural
problems arose during the count and tabulation of votes as well as isolated cases
of deliberate falsifications.
Some 100 parliamentarians and 300 short-term observers monitored the elections
for the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR),
the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), the Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly ( PACE), and the European Parliament (EP).
"These elections were a clear improvement and that is good for Armenian
democracy,", said Tone Tingsgaard, the Special Co-ordinator of the short-term
election observers and Vice President of the OSCE PA. "Now, more work is
needed to further consolidate this young democracy. That will require joint effort
and will by all political forces. I hope we will see that happen in the years
ahead."
Leo Platvoet, the Head of the PACE delegation, said: "We congratulate the
Armenian people on showing the will to hold democratic elections. Some challenges
remain, such as intertwining between political and business interests and improvements
are still needed to the electoral complaints procedure. The Council of Europe
and its Assembly continue to stand ready to assist Armenia in this process."
Marie Anne Isler Beguin, who headed the EP delegation, said: "With their
participation in these elections, Armenian citizens have made a further step
towards European democratic values as foreseen and promoted by the EU Neighborhood
Policy. The EU delegation encourages the Armenian people to continue in this
direction in view of forthcoming elections."
Ambassador Boris Frlec, the Head of the OSCE/ODIHR long-term mission, said: "Hopefully
this election will contribute to restoring the trust of voters in the election
process. But the election is not over. We will continue to follow the post-election
developments; only once they have been concluded, will we have the full picture."
The election authorities generally worked efficiently and were well prepared
for election day. For the first time there was a central and computerized voter
register. Amendments to the Election Code provided that women constitute at least
15 percent of each party/bloc list.
In its statement, the mission also noted that the separation of State and the
ruling party appeared less than distinct in the campaign.
Concerns remain, including gaps in the regulatory framework for elections, inconsistencies
and legal contradictions. Furthermore, authorities were slow or non-responsive
in correcting irregularities in the election process.
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