Minister not suprised at gatherings in polling stations
International observers today expressed their ‘moderate satisfaction' over the local elections in Armenia from 9 to 23 September and said they had not observed election fraud.
However, Henry Feral (L, EPP/CD), who heads the delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, said they voters had reported them about instances of electoral bribes.
At the same time the observers expressed discontent with passivity of political parties in local self-government elections.
"We understand that they lack finances and do not attach great importance to local governance," said Mr. Feral.
The head of the Congress delegation visited several polling stations in the regions where he observed gatherings. Later, he informed about it to Armen Gevorgyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Territorial Administration who, according to the observer, did not react to the information.
The head of the observation mission was unaware of the September 9 incident in Bambakashat village that involved Makar Petrosyan, the son of Armenian MP Alik Petrosyan.
