Parliamentary opposition does not believe in authorities` sincerity in implementing provisions of new Electoral Code
ArmInfo. Head of Armenian National Congress Faction Levon Zurabyan expressed concerns that the authorities will not allow organizing online broadcasting from
polling stations during the parliamentary elections in 2017, he stated about this at the parliament today.
According to the politician information is spread in certain circles
that during the elections uninterrupted broadcasting will be
announced impossible for technical reasons. "If the authorities state
about this on the threshold of the elections this will mean that they
intentionally hamper this process, in order to rig the elections, as
it is online broadcasting that is the main guarantee of fair
elections", he stressed.
In her turn Head of Heritage faction Zaruhi Postanjyan stated that
the new Electoral Code does not contribute to holding fair elections.
Particularly, she noted that preferential voting allows oligarchs to
maintain power and enter new parliament. "The new Electoral Code will
become regular mechanism for the authorities to maintain their
power", she noted.
To note, on September 13, representatives of authorities and
oppositionist factions in 444 format signed new agreement on
creating additional mechanisms of raising public confidence towards
elections. Parliament of Armenia passed alterations and amendments to
the Election Code with 102 votes "for," 4 votes "against" and 4
"abstentions," on October 20. Minister, Head of Government
Administration David Harutyunyan, noted that the main amendment
relates to scanning electoral lists signed by the voted citizens and
their publication on the website of Central Electoral Commission.
This is done to control the process of citizens' participation in the
voting and not to allow double voting or voting by false documents.
Harutyunyan noted that this amendment contradicts to the norms of
Venice Commission, however the authorities have agreed to this step
in order to restore citizens' confidence towards electoral processes.
The second important amendment made in the document relates to
installment of video cameras in the polling stations for controlling
the electoral process. Broadcasting will be online and video
materials will be archived. Special commission comprised of
representatives from the authorities, political forces and civil
society will purchase the equipment. 15 mln EUR is needed for
purchasing video equipment, the Armenian government agreed to
allocate 3 mln, while donor organizations promised to provide the
remaining funds. Harutyunyan informed that as for now only the
Armenian government has fulfilled its financial obligation.