RUSSIAN OBSERVERS: NKR ELECTIONS WERE TRANSPARENT, FREE AND LEGITIMATE
PanARMENIAN.Net
20.07.2007 14:17 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian observers have issued a statement on the
outcomes of the presidential elections in Nagorno Karabakh, the NKR
CEC told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. The statement says, in part,
"International observers from different states, including the Russian
Federation, arrived in Nagorno Karabakh to watch the presidential
elections scheduled for July 19, 2007. The Russian observers attended
numerous polling stations in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. We were
offered success to the work of the Central Election Commission,
polling stations and to the process of counting of votes. We also
held meetings with some presidential contenders
The Russian observers have made the following conclusions:
1. The NKR CEC made a considerable contribution to make the election
professional and trustworthy. The activities of the districts electoral
commissions during the elections and counting of votes deserve a high
estimation as well.
2. The presidential elections in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic were
transparent, free and legitimate.
3. The elections were held on alternative basis: there were 5
contenders.
4. The observers did not fix serious violations in the procedure of
registration, voting, counting of votes and transportation of protocols
from the polling stations to the CEC. No facts of interference
unauthorized persons in the work of the electoral commissions were
fixed either. The shortcomings noticed by the observers were of
technical nature. Recommendations on their elimination were taken
into account immediately.
5. Transparent ballot boxes were used and secured maximal transparency
of the vote. The observers were offered the possibility to freely
examine the documentation.
6. We were impressed by the activity of the voters, their motivation
and civil stance.
7. The observers thank the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the
Central Election Commission and the authorities at various levels
for cooperation and assistance rendered to the observation mission,
detailed information on the election campaign and freedom of travel.
8. The Russian delegation states that progressive achievements in
NKR are obvious.
9. These elections vividly demonstrate that the state system of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic has been formed and is developing towards
democracy and stability.
10. The Russian observers with regret learned of non-constructive
statements of representatives of some international organizations
as regards the presidential elections in the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic. Nagorno Karabakh possesses political, legal and historical
ground for the international recognition of its state independence.
11. Democratic achievements of the NKR need support and recognition
by the international community, what would promote the settlement of
the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh, establishment
of stability and lasting peace in the region. Protraction of final
recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic impedes its dynamic
development and can cause destabilization in the region.