SERGEY NASIBIAN SUMMED UP PREPARATIONS FOR REFERENDUM
Laura Grigorian

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
11 Dec 2006

On the eve of the referendum Sergey Nasibian, chair of the NKR Central
Commission on Referendum, gave an interview to the Azat Artsakh. He
informed that the electoral registers have been checked again to
avoid irregularities, and about 90 thousand voters aged 18 and up
are included in the registers.

According to him, 278 polling stations have been set up, including
one at the NKR Representation to Armenia, where the citizens of NKR
temporarily living or staying in NKR will vote. Sergey Nasibian
said efforts were made to guarantee security and order at the
polling stations, as well as to prevent disruption of telephone
communication. According to him, 46 million drams have been allocated
for preparations, which was provided in time and has been spent. "
According to the NKR Law on Central Election Commission, like
in the previous elections, at least half of the eligible persons
should vote for the question, and the referendum will take place
if 1/3 of voters included in the electoral registers show up," said
Sergey Nasibian. Several days ago the mayor of the village of Mets
Tagher stated on Artsakh Public Television that the village did not
get the draft constitution, and people are not acquainted with its
provisions. With regard to public awareness, Sergey Nasibian said:
"The draft constitution of NKR was published in the Azat Artsakh and
distributed to the regions. Besides, a booklet was published in 3500
copies and distributed to the communities. I cannot say how these
were used. The mayors and regional administrations were supposed
to deal with this, and propaganda is supposed to be carried out by
political parties, staffs of government agencies. The divisional
committees were given instructions. Nevertheless, there appear to be
drawbacks. Especially in the capital. People need to know that we are
going to adopt a constitution, which is the basic law of the country
and sums up 15 years of independence, and includes their rights and
duties, as well as the guarantees of protection of their rights. If it
is not perfect, it can be improved later in case questions occur. This
is important, and we should explain to people that we are moving
towards reconfirming the referendum on independence on December 10,
1991." According to Sergey Nasibian, people are especially active
in the regions of Hadrut and Martakert. "When the general idea is
explained to people, they realize that we need the Constitution." With
regard to observation and coverage of the voting, Sergey Nasibian told
the Azat Artsakh that by the information of the Central Commission
on Referendum 12 international observers and 7 international media
will arrive. Besides, 39 local reporters and 109 local observers have
been registered. However, he said, it is expected that the number
of international observers will grow. The foreign ministry gets a
number of phone calls from different countries, said the chair of
the Central Commission on Referendum. According to Sergey Nasibian,
the results of the voting will be released every three hours. The
preliminary roundup must be made within 28 hours. The final outcome
will become known within three days.