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LAW REFORMED, ATTITUDE UNCHANGED

Politics

All the proposals by the Venice Commission with the exception of one were included in the amended Electoral Code. “During the meeting with the Venice Commission members I said that if fingers are inked I will not participate in the elections”, Central Election Committee chairman Garegin Azaryan said. He considers that such a condition is humiliating not only for the voter but also for the election commission members.

While working out the amendments to the Electoral Code the CEC chairman has considered a great number of proposals. Some of them were adopted, some weren’t. G. Azaryan is content that his proposals on roll filing, appeal order, creation of computer network, exclusion of “Against all” column from the voting paper were included in the amended Electoral Code. His suggestion that the outcomes of the election should not be summed up at the polling station was as well adopted. As the CEC chairman Garegin Azaryan should fulfill the requirements of the Electoral Code. However as an ordinary citizen and specialist he considers the order of formation of the election commissions to be inadmissible.

“Let us not forget that our Electoral Code does not determine the criteria for the members of the election commissions. However I would be glad if the commissions consisted of professionals. At that parties and candidates can have the consultative vote. It is a classic variant functioning in a number of European states”, he added.

Garegin Azaryan views that fact that henceforth the juridical power will have the right to appoint its representatives to the election commissions as positive. To remind, in Armenia the President is the head of the Justice Council, who is empowered to appoint judges.

As for the rights of the empowered persons and observers, Garegin Azaryan considers that pre-conditions for the conduction of free and fair elections have been created. “The real shortcomings of the Electoral Code will be revealed at practice only, since it is impossible to apply even the best law without appropriate attitude of the society”, he resumed.

Lena Badeyan