PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS AND FACTIONS DISCUSS THE AMENDMENTS TO RA ELECTORAL CODE

ArmRadio.am
19.06.2006 15:23

June 13 the preliminary conclusion of the Venice Commission on the
draft of amendments in the Electoral Code of Armenia was placed on
the official website of RA National Assembly. However, the groups
and factions of the National Assembly received the above-mentioned
document on June 15. Today representatives of the Parliamentary groups
and factions expressed their opinion about the suggestions of the
Venice Commission.

One could infer from the answers that only those from the "Justice"
block were familiar with the preliminary conclusion of the Venice
Commission.

According to Stepan Demirchyan, most of the Venice suggestions are
acceptable.

"However, in case our suggestions are not accepted by the majority,
we’ll withdraw our signatures from the bill," Stepan Demirchyan said.

Head of the "Justice" block calls attention to another issue. It is
noted in the same conclusion of the Venice Commission that at last
the most essential is the implementation of the Electoral Code." "It
can be changed endlessly. The same European observers were saying
in 2003 that the Electoral Code in force provided the opportunity
to hold normal elections. Not only the Law guarantees the conduct of
fair election," Stepan Demirchyan noted.

Head of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation faction Hrayr Karapetyan
promises to express his opinion after the discussions.

The "National Unity" will also speak after the discussions, during
the fall session of the National Assembly.

Artashes Geghamyan considers that expressing opinion about the
suggestions from Venice is a matter of concern, "It means we have
reached a stage when any news from Venice is either a ring-buoy
or a verdict for us. It is very troublesome, since it means that
the Armenian legislative mind has been exhausted, as there are no
corresponding lawyers in Armenia, who will be able to develop an
Electoral Code in commitment to international standards and present
it to the consideration of its own people, and not Europe."

Head of the Republican Party faction Galust Sahakyan promises there
will be no obstacles on the part of the Republican Party and the
coalition, and the Electoral Code will include all those suggestions,
which will be adopted through a political consensus.