AZG Armenian Daily #094, 25/05/2005
Karabakh diary
DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE IN ARTSAKH
Nagorno Karabakh has entered an active phase of elections — election
campaign. Only 111 out of 125 candidates applied for majority vote were
registered by the Central Electoral Committee (CEC). All 6 parties biding
for the parliament were registered for party-list elections.
CEC took a decision to provide paid radio and TV advertising to all
candidates running for the majority vote. Though the electoral code allows
only party-list candidates to air their programs, CEC discussed the matter
and decided to provide all 111 candidates with 10 minutes on TV. In view of
the fact that there is only one TV in Artsakh and all private radio stations
are banned to take part in election campaign, this is simply a luxury for
the candidates.
As to parties, they are offered 60 minutes free and 90 minutes paid
advertising. It has been already a week that the Artsakh Public TV turned
into an arena. Most of the speeches are so far directed to criticizing the
authorities. There is the impression that the would-be deputies think that
the key to people’s trust is criticism, but amidst condemnation they do not
forget to hand down their promises.
The parliamentary elections of June 19 are going to be watched by numerous
local and international observers. Foreign minister of Nagorno Karabakh
Arman Melikian said during his televised appearance that the Ministry had
sent invitations to different international organization and individuals.
Part of them is already in Artsakh.
What is striking about this election is the fact that both the Karabakh
authorities and opposition are interested to hold free, transparent
parliamentary elections, as everybody understands that democracy is the only
alternative for Artsakh.
By Kim Gabrielian in Stepanakert
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress