Russian MP hails polls in Nagornyy Karabakh Republic [NKR]

Arminfo, Yerevan
21 Jun 05

STEPANAKERT

The [19 June parliamentary] elections in Nagornyy Karabakh were held
in line with democratic standards and without any incidents, the
director of the [Moscow-based] Institute of CIS [and Diaspora Studies]
and a member of the Russian State Duma, Konstantin Zatulin, has told
journalists. Zatulin monitored the parliamentary elections in the
Nagornyy Karabakh Republic [NKR] as an observer.

Zatulin pointed out that he had been at six polling stations, Arminfo
correspondent reported from Stepanakert. “Of course, conditions at
some of them leave much to be desired in terms of equipment, but then
electoral lists were hanged on the walls everywhere, which is not the
case in Russia and which we could also practise,” he said.

Zatulin said that people voted for individual candidates and parties,
but in the end they voted for democracy. He believes that the mixed
system of elections, which has spurred the process of creating new
parties, is a step forward.

“The people of Karabakh have not only demonstrated that they are
faithful to democratic processes and democracy, but they have also
proven that they live in a real country. These elections will also
undoubtedly impact on the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict,” Zatulin said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress