BILL ON ELECTORAL FRAUD BY ONE PERSON
Lragir, Armenia
Dec 21 2006
On December 20 and 21 the Electoral Code of Armenia finally "reached"
the agenda of the National Assembly and was discussed. Hardly twenty
out of 131 members of parliament attended the meeting, mainly members
of the opposition or independent members of parliament. 5-6 members
of parliament from the three majority parties were present, only 3
made speeches. According to the opposition, by these amendments to
the Electoral Code the majority is likely to create conditions for
electoral fraud in 2007. The pro-government forces think that the
electoral code is not perfect but ensures progress.
Member of Parliament Hovanes Margaryan, Orinats Yerkir Party, said
the code worked out in a year and a half was changed within 4 days.
Alexan Karapetyan, National Solidarity, stated that the code which
is constantly amended should work perfectly but our law does not.
The provision which does not require quorum for the meetings of the
electoral commissions added to the fears of the opposition on parity
of the staffs of electoral commissions, a proportional system of
election, etc. "We are discussing a bill which can be described as
a bill for electoral fraud by one person. There is no country in the
world which would allow holding a meeting of the electoral commission
if only one member is present," stated Victor Dallakyan and noted that
the figures are speaking about free, fair and transparent elections
who are specialized in electoral fraud.