HAK: "OSCE/ODIHR says parliamentary poll inconsistent with international norms"
The Armenian National Congress (HAK) issued a statement, commenting on the final report of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the results of the May parliamentary elections in Armenia.
"Elections met the improved legislation, preceded by competitive, dynamic and mainly peaceful election campaign, during which low level of trust in the process was recorded. Some violations of campaign conditions, including the use of administrative resources and attempts to restrict voters' freedom of choice created unequal ground for the participants and conflicted with OSCE commitments," the report says in part.
In its statement, the HAK says the report implied that the OSCE/ODIHR does not find the elections inconsistent with international democratic standards. Besides, the report gives evidence about the use of administrative resources, cases of multiple voting and voter bribery.
"The final report of the OSCE/ODIHR tarnishes Armenia's image on the international level and weakens the country's positions in the negotiation process, with the authorities shouldering full responsibility for depriving the public of the right to elect power," HAK said in the statement.
