PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA ADMINISTERED MOSTLY IN THE LINE WITH OSCE AND COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMITMENTS AND STANDARDS

arminfo
2008-02-20 17:48:00

ArmInfo. Presidential election in Armenia administered mostly in
the line with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and standards,
Vice Chairmwoman of OSCE PA Ann-Marie Lizin said at a briefing in
Yerevan, Wednesday when presenting the preliminary conclusions on
the voting results.

She said that the high-State authorities made genuine efforts
to address shortcomings noted in previous presidential elections,
inclduing the legal framework, and repeteadly stated their intention
to conduct democratic elections. However, further improvements and
commesurate political willare required to address remaining challenges
challenges such as: the absence of a clear separation between State and
party functions, the lack of public confidence in the electoral process
and ensuring equal treatment of election contestants. Ann-Marie Lizin
said that the conduct of the count did not contribute to reducing an
exsiting suspicion amongst election stakeholders.

The CEC ensured a high level of transparency, except the consideration
of complains that were for the most part dealt with in informal
sessions.

Although consistent with the election code, this process did not
allow the presence of candidates proxies, observers and media, thus
undermining trust.

The filed of nine candidates offered voters a geniuine choice. Many
candidates campained actively and were able to discuss their
programmes with voters. The authorities made efforts to provide a
permissive campaign environment. The freedom of assembly, association
and expression were generally respected but on several occasions
citizens were obstructed in exercizing their right to attend campaign
events. The Prime Minbister retained his office while campaigning
for president, which awarded him campaign advantages.