Misunderstood the minister
The discussion on the draft for reforms in the Electoral Code was rather heated at the National Assembly today. The NA touched upon two draft versions at once, including the version proposed by the NA coalition forces and the ARF's version. RA Justice Minister Hrair Tovmasyan expressed the government's viewpoint and went against the ARF's draft.
Why is the government against posting the voters' lists a day after the elections? This is what leader of the ARF faction Vahan Hovhannisyan asked RA Justice Minister Hrair Tovmasyan.
In addition to his question, Mr. Hovhannisyan also said:
"Is it fine for confidentiality to be violated in a sphere where the authorities can't get caught for fraud and not fine in a sphere where they can get caught?" In response, the minister said: "You misunderstood me."
According to Hrair Tovmasyan, who has taken part in making reforms in the Electoral Code for years, releasing the voters' lists after the elections doesn't maintain the confidentiality of the elections.
"There are other ways of solving the issue. Yes, we must have lists so that we don't have names of dead people."
Hrair Tovmasyan says he is concerned over double votes, but finds that "the mines shouldn't be placed in the Electoral Code and then exploded."
According to the justice minister, overt falsifications in the voters' lists can be protested.
The discussion on the drafts for reforms in the Electoral Code will continue tomorrow.
