Epress.am News from Armenia
The newly adopted Draft Electoral Code of Armenia gives off the impression that its authors have made every possible effort to minimize the possibility of effective election monitoring and prevention of electoral fraud. The significant limitation of the rights of observers and media representatives, along with the introduction of artificial obstacles, is of particular concern, according to a joint statement issued on Tuesday by 12 Armenian non-profit organizations which demand immediate amendments to the draft that would ensure appropriate public control.
The statement reads that, in particular, special mandatory registration of a number of election documents (ballot papers, envelopes) has been eliminated by the draft, while observation of possible inaccuracies in them allowed to reveal cases of ballot-box stuffing and “carousel” voting. In addition, voters will henceforth not be obliged to sign the voter lists, which, in turn, allowed to identify forged signatures and other related violations.
For the first time in the history of the development of the electoral legislation of Armenia, an accreditation institute has been set up for election coverage by mass media representatives. It is envisaged that each media entity may accredit to the Central Electoral Commission no more than 50 representatives of only one mass media outlet operating on its behalf. In the case where there are nearly 2000 precincts in the country, such limitation on the number of mass media representatives may artificially interfere with the possibility to conduct coverage of all precincts by the same outlet.
Election commissions will be entitled by the draft to limit the total number of observers and mass media representatives having the right to be in the voting room at the same time; this number, however, may not be less than 15. Moreover, this restriction does not apply to representatives of terrestrial on-air broadcasting television companies, which is also a manifestation of gross discrimination against mass media that monitor the electoral process.
The mechanism of exercising this restriction gives even greater cause for concern, according to which, total number of observers and media representatives is limited by a decision adopted by 2/3 of the votes of the election commission, and at impossibility of such a decision, it will be ensured with the assistance of the police, at the request of the chairperson of the Commission.
The Draft Electoral Code no longer gives observers the right to appeal to the chairperson with a requirement or recommendation to eliminate a violation, to attract his or her attention to a violation, or ask any questions. According to the statement, this is a significant setback not only in comparison with the existing legislation, but also with the preliminary versions of the draft, indicating neutralization of the role and importance of the observer on the whole.
“By continuing to deprive citizens of the opportunity of public oversight, the authorities only deepen suspicions and distrust for upcoming elections. The alienation of the public from the process of election oversight casts doubt on the validity of the results of the elections and breaks off the dialogue between the people and the state,” the bellow mentioned non-profits say.
“Transparency International Anti-corruption Center” NGO
“Europe in Law Association” NGO
“Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office” NGO
“Journalists’ Club ‘Asparez’” NGO
“Open Society Foundations – Armenia”
“Yerevan Press Club” NGO“Institute for Public Policy” NGO
“Foundation against Violations of Law” NGO
“Collaboration for Democracy” NGO
“Union of Informed Citizens” NGO
“Khoran Ard" Intellectual Center NGO"Rule of Right" NGO
"Institute for Public Policy" NGO
"Rule of Law" NGO