PACE OBSERVER MISSION APPEALS TO ALL POLITICAL FORCES TO ENSURE
HOLDING OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN LINE WITH COUNCIL OF EUROPE
REQUIREMENTS

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Parliamentary elections to be held in
Armenia on May 12 will be a touchstone of democratic maturity. The
delegation of the PACE observer mission on the upcomimg elections came
to this conclusion during its visit to Yerevan on April 10-13. During
the April 13 press conference at the RA National Assembly, Head of the
delegation of the PACE temporary commission on observation of
parliamentary elections in Armenia Leo Platvoet make public the
delegation’s statement, which, while appreciating the assurances of
the Armenian authorities and all beneficiaries of the political
process to hold the elections in line with CE standards, as well as
amendments to the RA Electoral Code and the creation of the single
register of voters, at the same time calls on the authorities to
clarify the electoral rolls as much as possible before the
elections. The delegation also expresses regret that the efficient
mechanism of applying ink to voters’ fingers has not been introduced
in Armenia.

According to the statement, certain indifference and irony of the
electoral mass to electoral process cause concern. It is indicated
that the delegation did not notice essential differences in programs
of the candidates and the parties that have submitted bids for
participation in the elections. The delegation members have an
impression that in Armenia the electoral struggle is going on among
political elites and individuals rather than ideas and principles. In
this connection the statement authors express concern over the
nomination of only one deputy by the majoritarian electoral system at
some electoral districts, which does not provide the voters of these
electoral districts with the opportunity of completely democratic
election.

Another concern of the delegation is related to unequal conditions
created for propaganda campaign of political forces. It is noted with
deep regret that huge amounts are fixed for TV time for political
campaign. The statement authors condemn the violence was committed
against offices of one of the parties, stating that violence and
terror are unacceptable in a democratic society. The delegation calls
on the authorized bodies to exmanine each case of electoral violation,
punish those guilty in accordance with law so as to rule out the
formation of an atmosphere of impunity. "Finally, the delegation
appeals to all political actors to use the short period until May 12
in order to ensure the holding of the parliamentary elections in
Armenia in line with Council of Europe requirements," the statement
reads.