Journalists not allowed to participate in draft Electoral Code discussions (video)
The Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs of the Armenian National Assembly has started discussion over the draft Electoral Code. The meeting is attended by Minister of Justice Arpine Hovhannisyan, Minister-Chief of Government Staff David Harutyunyan and a number of lawmakers who do not support the 4+4+4 format of negotiations proposed by the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction. Opposition lawmakers Nikol Pashinyan, Alexander Arzumanyan, Khachatur Kokobelyan, Rubik Hakobyan, Naira Zohrabyan and Lyova Khachatryan are also involved in the talks. Hovhannes Margaryan from the Country of Law Party (OEK) left the hall in the middle of discussions. Talking to A1+, Margaryan said he had been invited to the meeting as Vice-Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs. He added that he had nothing to do there and their main approaches will be presented by the Armenian Renaissance social-political union later on Wednesday during a meeting with the 4+4+4 supporters. It had been announced that the discussion would be open for media. however, at the begoining of the meeting, Hovhannes Sahakyan, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs, said journalists were disturbing their work and should leave the hall after taking several photos.
