Interfax News Agency, Russia
Russia & CIS General Newswire
February 15, 2008 Friday 12:26 PM MSK
OSHR observers praise Armenian electoral campaign
YEREVAN Feb 15
Observers of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights (OSHR) have in general hailed the Armenian electoral campaign
in an interim report on Friday.
The campaigns of candidates for the presidency are covered by the
Armenian media "in a positive and neutral manner, () the candidates’
total coverage time was more equitable than in the previous reporting
period," the interim report from January 27 throughout February 9
says.
According to the report, "the coverage of [former President] Levon
Ter-Petrosian contained many critical remarks in various broadcast
media."
Moreover, "unrest occurred at two of Ter-Petrosian’s events [campaign
rallies]," the report says.
The OSHR is aware of "five incidents in which party or candidate
premises have been damaged either through vandalism, shooting or
possible arson," the document says.
The OSHR electoral monitoring mission in Armenia consists of 40
short-range and 260 long-rang observers.