What were observers doing in polling stations?
The delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will release its final report on the May 5 City Council election in Yerevan in October. In the meantime, Head of the delegation, Rapporteur Stewart Dickson (UK, ILDCG), presented to Armenian reporters their preliminary conclusions on yesterday's polls.
The delegation observed the conduct of election in at least 100 polling stations since the opening of polls till the end of vote count.
"The election was, on the whole, transparent, although there are still issues that need to be addressed," he said.
Stewart Dickson was particularly concerned about the use of cell phones during the vote counting; he says it greatly hindered the process.
He was also surprised by some local observers.
"We do believe that some local observers worked in favour of definite political parties and blocs. We still need to find out what they were doing there?" Stewart Dickson said.
