PACKAGE OF AMENDMENTS TO ELECTORAL CODE ADOPTED IN FIRST READING
Noyan Tapan
Oct 26 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly adopted
in the first reading on October 26 the package of amendments
and additions to the Electoral Code with 84 for, 6 against and 2
abstaining votes. To recap, the EC acting from February, 1999 was
subject to amendment already for 5 times. The draft consisting of
100 articles, particularly, fixes decision on voting with envelops
and clerifying electoral commissions, orders of appealing actions and
inaction, commissions of authorized persons are widened. The latters
have a right not to interfere in works of a commission member, being
phisically present near commission members implementing registration
of voters, giving ballot-papers and votion envelops, sealing and
guarding the ballot-box and watching their works. The order of
summing up results of votion at district electoral commissions is
also changed: particularly, the report concerning results must be
formed based on intermediate reports concerning results of votion
in intermediate bundles formed each of 250 envelops. At present the
upmost number of voters involved in every polling station, 2000, is
reduced to 1600, as a result of what the number of polling statiions
will add 20-30%. Usage of moveable ballot-boxes to implement the
constitutional right of invalids, people having no possibility to come
to the district center on the votion day and undergoing stationary
treatment at medical institutions is among the innovations.
The right of video recording the process of summing up the votion
results is also defined. Transitional threshold of alliances as
a result of NA proportional electoral system elections was also
reviewed. If it makes 7% at present, the draft envisages this threshold
for alliance of 2 parties, and 10% for 3 and more parties. By the way,
a provision was additionally fixed in the draft according to which
journalists of the Public Radio and Television, other radio companies
and TV companies, members of editorial staffs who are registered as
candidates, are prohibited to cover the elections and hold radio and
TV programs.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
