PEOPLE MAKE THEIR CHOICE
S. Hatoutyunyan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily
21 July 07

To what extent are the complaints substantiated? And thus, Bako
Sahakyan held a convincing victory in the NKR Presidential elections.

Yesterday morning, the Central Election Commission published the
preliminary results according which, 71287 citizens or 77.36 per cent
of the voters participated in the elections.

Bako Sahakyan obtained 85.36 per cent of votes. Masis Mayilyan,
having 21.21 per cent of votes, ranks as the second candidate. 1.26
per cent (856 votes) of voters balloted in favor of Armen Abgaryan,
0.8 percent (539 votes) – in favor of Hrant Melkoumyan and only 0.3
per cent (202 votes) – in favor of Vanya Avanesyan.

In response to our questions, CEC Chairman SERGEY NASIBYAN estimated
the overall course of the elections as normal. Of course, "without
regard to some technical and other minor flaws, that couldn’t influence
the election results. In some cases attempts were made to act beyond
the requirements of the Electoral Code, but such attempts were mainly
hampered in time.

Studying the appeals of complaints received from Masis Mayilyan’s
headquarter (the other "alternative" candidates had not submitted
written appeals of complaint), the following was particularly recorded.

In the electoral precinct No. 7/3, situated in the Agricultural
College of Stepanakert, the voting was organized in a corridor
on the first floor, and this created certain problems for the
commission members, entrusted individuals and the observers in terms
of visibility. However, due to the intervention of the constituency
commission, this gap was bridged: after receiving the alarm-call
required measures were taken and the existing flaws were eliminated.

In the electoral precinct No. 22/1 the commission member tried to vote
instead of another person, however, this attempt was hampered by M.

Mayilyan’s entrusted individual. The precinct commission received a
strict warning by the constituency commission; as to the wrongdoing
of the commission member, a decision was made to discuss it during
the sitting of the higher body.

In the community of Kolatak, Martakert region, the commission member
helped a voter who was unable to fill in the ballot-paper on his
own. Mayis Mayilyan’s headquarter estimated this as an infringement
of legitimacy.

However, in the estimation of the Central Election Commission, this
is not in breach of, but rather – in compliance with the requirements
of the Electoral Code.

The supporters of M. Mayilyan also complained about cases of stuffing
the ballot-boxes in the electoral precincts of Khnapat and Khndzoristan
Askeran region, Karintakh Shoushi region as well as in the electoral
precincts of the center of Shahoumyan region, and in the precinct
stations No. 10/9 of Khnatsakh, No. 11/1 of Hadrut, No. 12/12 of
the village of Togh, No. 9/1 of Askeran and No. 19/9 of Martouni
region. However, those cases were not confirmed. The members and the
responsible representatives of the commissions, sometimes even the
entrusted individuals, have sharply denied the cases of wrongdoings
notified by the proponents of Mr. Mayilyan.

The same is true for the appeals condemning the "massive referral of
voters" in the precinct station No. 12/1 of Hadrut region. As to the
electoral precinct No. 11/1, one of the citizens tried vote instead of
his family members through ignorance, and the commission, of course,
prevented such attempt.

Mr. Mayilyan’s proponents also complained about cases of stuffing the
ballot-boxes in the community of Gyune Tchartar, Martouni region. In
response to the CEC inquiry, Head of the Precinct Electoral Commission
refuted such information, complaining that an entrusted individual
is not in command of the provisions of the Electoral Code in general
and the rights of an entrusted individual – in particular. And this,
according to him, gave way to inappropriate disputes.

There were also appeals of complaint regarding the violation of the
rights of the people receiving in-patient treatment in hospitals, as
these people were allegedly deprived of their right to vote. Whereas,
as indicated in the response received from the Central Election
Commission, medical establishments make up the voters’ electoral lists
in advance – 3 days prior to the elections, and there is no provision
prescribed by the Electoral Code for making up additional lists. In
general, as estimated by the Central Election Commission, the facts
indicated in the appeals of complaint are very often unaddressed and
not supported by specific facts.