TALKS ABOUT FAIR ELECTIONS DO NOT CORRESPOND TO REALITY, RAFFI
HOVANNISIAN FINDS

YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN. "The most important issue is that
citizens of Armenia are free in their choice and are not confused by
the authorities’ actions or any political circumstances." Raffi
Hovannisian, the Chairman of the "Zharangutiun" (Heritage) party,
former RA Minister of Foreign Affairs stated about it at the March 27
conference entitled "Free and Fair Elections as Foundation-Stone of
Democracy." He expressed sorrow on the occasion that Armenians, always
used to live in unequal conditions in the Ottaman and other Empires,
are today again put in unequal conditions in their own country, in
holding a struggle for etsbalishment of democracy, national interests,
protection of the population’s rights, etc. In R.Hovannisian’s words,
it is important to find out today if all the participants of the
pre-electoral campaign will have equal qualitative and quantitative
conditions in three spheres, particularly: – if mass media will
display balanced approach towards different political forces, – if an
equal approach will be displayed towards all participants of the
pre-electoral race in giving rooms for organizing meetings with
voters, – if the "financial limit" affirmed by the law will be
kept. "It is obvious that today talks about fair elections and reality
do not correspond to one another," Raffi Hovannisian stated. In his
words, the main task is that "words about holding fair elections do
not part with the deed," and it is not only the opposition’s task but,
first of all, it is also the task of the authorities, pro-ruling
political forces, mass media and the whole society.