Shortcomings in Electoral Code (video)
The changes in the Electoral Code cannot guarantee that Armenia will hold free and fair parliamentary elections in 2017. We still remember the outcome of previous elections.
“Until recently, we have witnessed continuous fraud, even disgraceful fraud, including vote buying, pressure on voters, intimidation and violence,” says Artur Sakunts, a leading human rights activist in Armenia.
If the changes come in force, the entire voting process will be broadcast live from a polling station. Also, the names of voters will be published but the number of observers will be limited in a polling station.
Mr. Sakunts stresses that electoral fraud and violations in polling stations were mainly detected, protocolled and prevented by observers and representatives of mass media. “Now, the new Code limits their presence in a polling station. Without civilian control one cannot guarantee fraud-free elections,” the human rights activist said.
Hovsep Khurshudyan, a member of the Heritage Party, says in turn, “In those polling stations, where they intend to commit fraud, lights might go out all of a sudden or the technical device might break down… Everything is in their hands.”
Even if you detect electoral fraud and have enough evidence, you cannot invalidate election results. Nor does the judicial system allow it.
“No matter how many cases of violations you produce – 25 000 or 125 000, Gagik Harutyunyan will say you have not presented enough evidence and announce the elections as legitimate.
The parties that concluded a deal with the government did not consider all the aforesaid shortcomings. “All these parties voted for Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union and I think everything was agreed upon with the EEU,” said Mr. Sakunts.
