Issue in question
The National Assembly today adopted the draft law on amendments in the "Electoral Code" by a second reading. Out of the parliamentary parties, only the ARF voted against the draft law, while "Heritage" continues not to participate in the sessions.
The coalition forces believe this EC is sufficient for holding free and fair elections in the country.
"We are satisfied with the amendments. There is a new, revolutionary approach to the procedure of forming electoral commissions," "Country of Law" faction secretary Hovhannes Margaryan told "A1+".
"Country of Law" was also satisfied with the Electoral Code amended in 2007. According to Mr. Sargsyan, there is minimum chance of electoral fraud. "Our partners from the opposition demand the release of voters' lists, but I assure you that they will be provided if desired."
The ARF says if the authorities had had the desire to hold free and fair elections, they would have accepted the ARF's four proposals. According to ARF MP Armen Rustamyan, by adopting the Electoral Code by a second reading, the authorities are only after turning the process of regeneration incessant.
Mr. Rustamyan is certain that Armenia will not have free and fair elections as long as the authorities keep announcing that the falsifications have not had any impact on the results of the elections. Rustamyan also says if the authorities had the will to hold free and fair elections, they had to agree to release the voters' lists immediately after the elections.
"That would give the chance to put an end to double votes. I must say that the international structures served the authorities. They made the confidentiality of votes refer to the confidentiality of voter participation as well. Now they prohibit photography and videotaping. This issue is in question," said Rustamyan.
The NA majority agreed to adopt one of the ARF's proposals partially. "We had suggested opening the envelopes without counting the votes right after the elections, compare the number of participants with the number of those who signed the registers. Instead of this proposal, they accepted that the proxies could demand a part of the preliminary data from the electoral polling station to be ratified by the commission head."
"Heritage" party also attaches importance to the release of voters' lists after the elections. "That would give the opportunity to see the number of stuffing and figure drawing. We also attach importance to the formation of a control committee adjunct to the CEC," "Heritage" MP Armen Martirosyan told "A1+".
Armen Martirosyan is certain that Armenia can't hold free and fair elections in 2012 with the existing EC and the political will. "The electoral commissions should exclusively consist of 50 percent of the opposition and 50 percent of the authorities." As a precondition for free elections, Armen Martirosyan said in that case, "A1+" and "Noyan Tapan" would be on air and "Gala" would not be under pressure.
