Epress.am News from Armenia
In these amendments to the Electoral Code, it’ll be written that the opposition will have the opportunity to have 20% representation in precinct committees; that is, to have its committee chair, its secretary, said member of the National Assembly Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs, Republican Party of Armenia MP Hovhannes Sahakyan, while speaking to journalists today about the draft law on amendments to the Electoral Code.
Sahakyan did not clearly note what is meant by “the opposition.” Responding to a question by a journalist, he said, they have received proposals from “different wings of the opposition,” including the Armenian National Congress (HAK).
In Sakahyan’s words, according to HAK’s proposal, responsibility for the entire electoral process falls on the state.
Also included in the amendments, said the MP, is the extensive report-proposal presented by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights — particularly the part about the media which states that media outlets should give equal time and coverage to all candidates during the election campaign. (This refers mainly to TV and radio, but includes all news outlets.)
“The amended version of the draft law has now been sent to the Venice Commission for examination, as a working document,” said Sahakyan.
In accordance with the new electoral bill, two of the members of the precinct electoral commissions must have a legal education and two must be women.