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Vote 2012: Not so `clean' according to some reports
Election Day | 06.05.12 | 16:01
Photolure
Observers from more than 20 countries are in Armenia to report whether
this election process improves over previous ones.
By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
Observers of Armenia's voting history might rightly argue that `clean'
is a relative term, when it comes to progress toward a democratic
outcome of elections.
At about 10:00 a.m. proxies of Armenian National Congress (ANC) and
Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) were beaten at polling precinct 24/26
in Gegharkunik province. According to ANC and PAP Martuni central
office's report, ANC proxy Alaverdi Namalyan's teeth were broken as a
result of being beaten. The PAP proxy's camera was seized and broken.
The proxies were taken out of the polling station.
The PAP Martuni central office released a statement, warning that a
number of violations had been registered at electoral district #24.
`The PAP proxy working at polling precinct 24/15 reported that village
head Karo Gevorgyan obviously distributed money to voters at the
entrance of the polling station.'
Head of PAP election headquarters Naira Zohrabyan told ArmeniaNow that
the situation at provincial polling stations is rather tense.
`Provincial `prince-lings' try to settle issues by the means known to
them,' Zohrabyan says.
The inter-party joint headquarters which holds public control over the
elections, states that the situation `is very disturbing' and that
`preliminary well-organized large-scale manipulations are being
implemented.'
In addition to the previously-reported incident involving the apparent
kidnapping of a Kentron cameraman, at least two reports were filed
related to harassment of journalists.
Aravot newspaper reporter Nelly Babayan's cell phone was seized at
polling station 5/11 in Davtashen administrative district, as she
attempted to video the station.
At polling station 12/32 in Erebuni-Masiv administrative district an
attempt was made to seize RFE/RL's Armenian Service reporter Elina
Chilingaryan's video camera and an attempt to break her camera's
memory card.
Election Day | 06.05.12 | 16:01
Photolure
Observers from more than 20 countries are in Armenia to report whether
this election process improves over previous ones.
By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
Observers of Armenia's voting history might rightly argue that `clean'
is a relative term, when it comes to progress toward a democratic
outcome of elections.
At about 10:00 a.m. proxies of Armenian National Congress (ANC) and
Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) were beaten at polling precinct 24/26
in Gegharkunik province. According to ANC and PAP Martuni central
office's report, ANC proxy Alaverdi Namalyan's teeth were broken as a
result of being beaten. The PAP proxy's camera was seized and broken.
The proxies were taken out of the polling station.
The PAP Martuni central office released a statement, warning that a
number of violations had been registered at electoral district #24.
`The PAP proxy working at polling precinct 24/15 reported that village
head Karo Gevorgyan obviously distributed money to voters at the
entrance of the polling station.'
Head of PAP election headquarters Naira Zohrabyan told ArmeniaNow that
the situation at provincial polling stations is rather tense.
`Provincial `prince-lings' try to settle issues by the means known to
them,' Zohrabyan says.
The inter-party joint headquarters which holds public control over the
elections, states that the situation `is very disturbing' and that
`preliminary well-organized large-scale manipulations are being
implemented.'
In addition to the previously-reported incident involving the apparent
kidnapping of a Kentron cameraman, at least two reports were filed
related to harassment of journalists.
Aravot newspaper reporter Nelly Babayan's cell phone was seized at
polling station 5/11 in Davtashen administrative district, as she
attempted to video the station.
At polling station 12/32 in Erebuni-Masiv administrative district an
attempt was made to seize RFE/RL's Armenian Service reporter Elina
Chilingaryan's video camera and an attempt to break her camera's
memory card.