Creative unanimity at CEC?
Armenia's newly appointed Central Election Commission today held its first sitting in an atmosphere of solidarity. The CEC members adopted unanimously all the 17 issues of the agenda.
After the meeting, the only "veteran" of the country's top election body, CEC Chairman Garegin Azaryan said he was pleased with the commission members and expects creative interaction from his new teammates.
It is easier and more interesting to work with people from the outside who have different approaches and new ideas," said Azaryan.
Sixty-six issues of the agenda were introduced by Garegin Azaryan (9) and CEC member CEC member Tatevik Ohanyan (7) who has worked in the CEC staff since 2007.
Earlier in July, the CEC reelected its controversial former chairman, Garegin Azarian, as the chairman of the new commission. In accordance with the recently amended Electoral Code, the CEC seven members are nominated by the human rights ombudsman, the Court of Cassation, and the Armenian bar association and appointed by the country's president. Serzh Sargsyan formally approved the candidacies proposed by the three institutions late on July 13.
Azaryan administered the last presidential election, which was marred by opposition allegations of serious fraud and ended in deadly street unrest in Yerevan.
