Local elections in Armenia show that local democracy needs further
tangible consolidation
Yerevan, 29.09.2008 – Congress delegation, headed by Ms Véronique
Moreira (France, NR), arrived in Yerevan on Wednesday last and conducted
a number of key meetings with representatives of institutional bodies,
political parties, NGOs and media.
Subsequently, observers deployed to all electoral districts in Yerevan
and visited some 100 polling stations.
Council of Europe observers, at yesterday’s local elections in Yerevan,
are worried that lack of transparency, and tensions at a number of
locations overshadow the continuing development of local democracy in
Armenia.
On the one hand, observers noted that low participation in areas where
there was an election for the Community Council underscores low interest
among voters in local government affairs.
On the other hand, in areas where there was a perceived high political
stake, irregularities, frequently reported tensions in polling stations
and disproportionately high turn-out in some instances give the
impression that political democratic culture in Armenia need further
buttressing.
Amidst reports conveyed to them of transporting voters from a locality
to another and of bribery, they themselves observed a lack of
transparency in both voting and counting procedures.
During the Autumn Session of Congress (December 2008) Mr Paolo Rondelli
(San Marino, SOC), Rapporteur, will present all the findings of the
mission.
The Congress encourages the Armenian authorities to take advantage of
its recommendations, particularly with a view to the tangible
consolidation of local democracy in the country.
Members of the delegation:
– Ms Véronique Moreira, Congress (France, NR) – Head of delegation
– Mr Paolo Rondelli, Congress (San Marino, SOC) – Rapporteur
– Mr Joe Conway, Congress (Ireland, ILDG)
– Mr Mihkel Juhkami, Congress (Estonia, EPP/CD)
– Mr Dobrica Milovanovic, Congress (Serbia, NR)
– Ms Dominique Ronga, Congress (France, SOC)
– Mr Uldis Rozenbergs, Congress (Latvia, EPP/CD)
Congress Secretariat
– Mrs Antonella Cagnolati, Director
– Mr Michel Rivollier, Project Manager
– Ms Gönül Koçak, Secretariat
Press contacts:
Dmitri Marchenkov, Communication Unit, Congress of Local and Regional
Authorities of the Council of Europe
Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 32 81 ; Fax+33 (0)3 88 41 27 51 ;
[email protected] ;
Council of Europe Office in Armenia, Tel.: + 374 54 63 22
Press Release
Communication Unit of the Congress
of Local and Regional Authorities
Ref:667a08
Tel: : +33 3 90 21 49 36
Fax : +33 3 88 41 27 51
[email protected]
The Congress has two chambers, the Chamber of Local Authorities and the
Chamber of Regions.
It brings together 318 full and 318 substitute members representing
more than 200 000 European territorial communities.
President of the Congress : Yavuz Mildon (Turkey, EPP/CD), President of
the Chamber of Regions: Ludmila Sfirloaga (Romania, SOC),
President of the Chamber of Local Authorities : Ian Micallef (Malta,
EPP/CD).
Political Groups : Socialist Group (SOC), Group of the European People’s
Party – Christian Democrats (EPP/CD),
Independent and Liberal Democrat Group (ILDG).