INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION
PRESS RELEASE

Armenian poll demonstrates progress, observers say

YEREVAN, 13 May 2007 – In a joint statement today, the International
Election Observation Mission for the 12 May parliamentary elections in
Armenia concluded that the elections demonstrated improvement from
previous ones and were largely in accordance with international
commitments, although some issues remain unaddressed.

The mission commended steps taken by the Armenian authorities to address
serious shortcomings, including amendments to the Election Code. The
election campaign was dynamic with extensive media coverage. Election
day was calm, with no major incidents reported, but a few cases of fraud
schemes were observed. Some procedural problems arose during the count
and tabulation of votes as well as isolated cases of deliberate
falsifications.

Some 100 parliamentarians and 300 short-term observers monitored the
elections for the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights, OSCE/ODIHR, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE PA, the
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, PACE, and the European
Parliament, EP.

"These elections were a clear improvement and that is good for Armenian
democracy", said Tone Tingsgaard, Special Co-ordinator of the short-term
election observers and Vice President of the OSCE PA. "Now, more work is
needed to further consolidate this young democracy. That will require
joint effort and will by all political forces. I hope we will see that
happen in the years ahead."

Leo Platvoet, Head of the PACE delegation said: "We congratulate the
Armenian people on showing the will to hold democratic elections. Some
challenges remain, such as intertwining between political and business
interests and improvements are still needed to the electoral complaints
procedure. The Council of Europe and its Assembly continue to stand
ready to assist Armenia in this process."

"With their participation in these elections, Armenian citizens have
made a further step towards European democratic values as foreseen and
promoted by the EU Neighborhood Policy. The EU delegation encourages the
Armenian people to continue in this direction in view of forthcoming
elections", said Marie Anne Isler Beguin, who headed the EP delegation.

"Hopefully this election will contribute to restoring the trust of
voters in the election process", concluded Ambassador Boris Frlec, Head
of the OSCE/ODIHR long-term mission. "But the election is not over. We
will continue to follow the post-election developments; only once they
have been concluded, will we have the full picture."

The election authorities generally worked efficiently and were well
prepared for election day. For the first time there was a central and
computerized voter register. Amendments to the Election Code provided
that women constitute at least 15 percent of each party/bloc list.

In its statement, the mission noted that the separation of state and the
ruling party appeared less than distinct in the campaign.

Concerns remain, including gaps in the regulatory framework for
elections, inconsistencies and legal contradictions. Furthermore,
authorities were slow or non-responsive in correcting irregularities in
the election process.

For further information:
Klas Bergman, OSCE PA, tel.: +374 93 733 292, klas@oscepa.dk

Urdur Gunnarsdottir, OSCE/ODIHR, tel.: +374 93 732 723, urdur@odihr.pl
<mailto:urdur@odihr.pl>

Bas Klein, PACE, tel.: +374 91 458 948, bas.klein@coe.int

Pietro Ducci, European Parliament, tel.: +374 94 711 828
pietro.ducci@europarl.europa.eu

Ref. 309a07