RA presidential contender appealed to Constitutional Court concerning
voting of RA citizens living abroad
2008-02-01 14:30:00
ArmInfo. RA presidential contender Arman Melikyan appealed to the
Constitutional Court concerning voting of RA citizens living abroad.
The copy of the appeal, received by ArmInfo, indicates that, according
to the alterations and amendments made to RA Electoral Code by the
Parliament on February 26, 2007, the citizens of Armenia, living
abroad, are deprived of the right to take part in the election. Thus,
according to point 2, Article 2 of the modified EC, the indicated
category of RA citizens are deprived of the opportunity to realize
their voters’ rights, envisaged by the Constitution. Limitation of the
rights of citizens (employees of diplomatic corps being in
business-trip or living abroad) also conflicts with the principles of
international law. Moreover, the limitations, envisaged by the adopted
alterations of EC, reduce the potential number of voters for each of
the candidates.
As the document says, taking into account the fact that RA Constitution
is valid in the territories of RA embassies and consulates, the
forthcoming February 19 presidential election should be organized
there. In fact, RA citizens living abroad, are not protected as they
are deprived of their constitutional right to vote, the document
emphasizes. "RA Constitution clearly indicates the category of persons
not being able to take part in voting", the document recalls. These are
legally incapable citizens, as well as those, with respect to whom the
court verdict took effect. "I am sure that the decision not to open the
polling stations abroad is a factor which directly affects the election
results", A. Melikyan’s appeal emphasizes. The presidential contender
added that this circumstance is a great obstacle for him personally as
considerable part of his potential voters is abroad. In view of the
above-stated, Arman Melikyan demanded from RA CC to cancel p.2 of
Article 2 of RA EC.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress