PESSIMISM OR REALISM?
Support A1+!“The reformation of the Electoral Code should be carried out in three directions – the presence of balanced election commissions, proper public control and equality between the candidates”, candidate of juridical sciences Hrayr Tovmasyan considers. In his opinion no positive changes can be observes as regards the formation of the election commissions. H. Tovmasyan noted however certain progress referring to the public control and expansion of the rights of the observers and empowered persons. No one has the right to drive out an empowered person from the polling station, excluding arrests. As for securing equal rights for all the candidates, Tovmasyan does not see any progress.
He gave a positive estimate to the fact that henceforth the rolls will be compiled not by the local self-government bodies but by the appropriate police departments. Nevertheless there is certain vagueness, which is to become clear at practice. Hrayr Tovmasyan is also concerned over the fact that the rolls in military units and colonies cannot be published. Thus, public control is ruled out while the military vote. The second problem is connected with the appeal of the decision of the election commission. The order established can create deadlock situations and exclude efficient protection mechanisms. According to the amendments all the complaints are considered on common ground. “It means that the complaints will be considered during a month and the terms of contesting the outcomes of the elections will be expired by the time”, he says.
H. Tovmasyan said it would be naïve to bind justice of the upcoming elections with the amendments to the Electoral Code . “This law is a part of political and legislative system of the country and the protection mechanisms depend the independence of the juridical system and the way the authorities defend the rights of the citizens. Taking into account the nature of the above mentioned bodies it is easy to say that proper atmosphere for fair elections has not been created in Armenia yet.
Victoria Abrahamyan
