EUROPEAN OBSERVERS: ARMENIA ELECTION MOSTLY IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.02.2008 17:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The February 19 presidential election in Armenia was
conducted mostly in line with the country’s international commitments,
although further improvements are necessary to address remaining
challenges, the International Election Observation Mission said in
a statement published today.

"The Armenian authorities made genuine efforts to address shortcomings
noted in previous elections. But there is a need for further
improvements and political will to tackle concerns such as the lack
of public confidence in the electoral process and the absence of a
clear separation between State and party functions.

The conduct of the count did not contribute to reduce suspicions
among stakeholders."

"In an active and competitive election, Armenians turned out in
strength to choose between genuine political alternatives. The
problems we observed, particularly during the counting, must be
addressed to increase overall confidence in the electoral process,"
said Anne-Marie Lizin, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Vice President
and Special Coordinator of the OSCE short-term observers.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress