REFERENDUM ON NKR CONSTITUTION MEETS MOST OF STANDARDS OF OSCE, CE AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURES, OBSERVERS’ REPORT MENTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 12 2006

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. "The referendum on adoption of
the Constitution held on December 10 in NKR meets most of the standards
of OSCE, Council of Europe and other international European structures
relating to democratic elections equally used towards referendums as
well," the resume of the independent observers on the results of the
referendum on adoption of the NKR Constitution read. The process
of preparation for the referendum and the referendum itself was
observed by more than 100 international observers and journalists
from Russia, U.S., France, Armenia, Italy, Croatia, Israel, Serbia,
Georgia, Ukraine, Denmark, Kosovo, Republic of Abkhazia, Republic
of South Ossetia, Transdniestrian Moldavian Republic in the presence
of correspondents of TV companies Russia Today, First Channel (RF),
Rustavi-2 (Georgia), radio BBC, agencies France-press, EurasiaNet
(U.S.), Regnum (Russia), Interfax and a number of information
agencies of Armenia. On the day of the referendum the observers
visited 137 polling stations, participated in calculation of votes
at 32 polling stations and "registered no significant violation on
the day of the referendum." As the document mentions, "wide public
confidence the process of elections enjoys in Nagorno Karabakh made
a great impression." 89 044 persons were on electoral rolls. During
the whole day once in every three hours they reported about the
turnout level. In the final result the turnout made 87.02%. "We did
not register any significant violations either in the procedure
of electors’ registration and organization of voting or in the
procedure of working up of votes and transportation of protocols of
vote calculation from polling stations to regional (town) commissions
and further to the Central Commission on Referendum," the document
read. At the same time, the observers mentioned the necessity to
improve accessibility of polling stations, in particular, for disabled
persons to be able to exercise their right of vote, undertaking of
measures for full provision of secret ballot and increase of number
of cabins for voting. As a recommendation they mentioned necessity of
international community’s providing support to democratic processes
in Nagorno Karabakh, including holding of elections.