OSCE ODIHR OBSERVATION MISSION POSITIVELY ESTIMATES RA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 20, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, NOYAN TAPAN. The observation mission of the OSCE
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) estimates
the February 19 presidential elections as a step towards establishment
of democracy. As Anne-Marie Lizin, the Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE
short-term observers, stated at the February 20 press conference, the
electoral process was conducted in line with the international norms.

However, in her words, there is a need for further improvements and
political will to tackle concerns such as the lack of public confidence
in the electoral process.

The mission, according to Lizin, considers positive the fact that
all candidates were able to present their programs to voters in the
preelection period. At the same time she said that there have been
cases when obstacles were put in the way of voters’ participation
in the election campaign of their preferable candidate. Besides, in
her words, the holding of Prime Minister’s office by Serge Sargsian
parallel with the election campaign was a negative phenomenon, which
increased his possibilities.

Lizin also said that ODIHR observers witnessed a number of acts
of violence on the day of voting, which they mentioned in their
conclusion. "They are part of the cases, but whether they are the
most part and whether such cases prevailed?" A. M. Lizin said. And
Ambassador Geert Ahrens, a member of the observation group, added
that it is their preliminary conclusion and the second one will be
published in two months.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress