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Decision 2013: Certain violations transpire as presidential vote
progresses in Armenia
Vote 2013 | 18.02.13 | 14:54
NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
During the first several hours of the presidential election in Armenia
observers have reported a number of violations that have been typical
for past national elections as well.
The Civil Society Institute (CSI), which has deployed observers in
different polling precincts of the country, mostly registered isolated
violations connected with the early oxidation of ink stamps in the
passports of voters, crowding at polling stations, interference by
candidate proxies in the voting process.
Thus, already by 11 am, the CSI hotline had received an alert from a
voter who said the ink stamp in his passport disappeared an hour after
he cast his ballot (while it is supposed to stay there for at least 12
hours).
While not the only safeguard against repeated balloting, ink stamps
are supposed to exclude such an opportunity. The opposition has long
alleged that early oxidation of ink is a sign that some voters could
be engaged in repeated ballot.
CSI monitors have also reported guiding of voters outside polling
stations by certain people who give instructions to vote for the
government candidate.
At polling station 4/11 a Raffi Hovannisian proxy told a CSI observer
that a woman had been making a `roll call' within the premises of the
precinct and left only after his interference.
Allegations of people being bussed to polling stations have also been
made during the current vote. In some cases voters (most of whom are
supposed to be residents of nearby buildings) are brought on taxis.
There were also reported cases of precinct election commission heads
being absent from the premises of the precinct for more than 10
minutes.
In general, a shortage of proxies is observed at most polling
stations. Most of those present in polling stations are proxies of
current president Serzh Sargsyan. Some reports also allege cases when
Sargsyan has had more than one proxy at a polling station.
http://armenianow.com/vote_2013/43581/armenia_presidential_election_2013_february_18_vot ing_violations
From: A. Papazian
progresses in Armenia
Vote 2013 | 18.02.13 | 14:54
NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
During the first several hours of the presidential election in Armenia
observers have reported a number of violations that have been typical
for past national elections as well.
The Civil Society Institute (CSI), which has deployed observers in
different polling precincts of the country, mostly registered isolated
violations connected with the early oxidation of ink stamps in the
passports of voters, crowding at polling stations, interference by
candidate proxies in the voting process.
Thus, already by 11 am, the CSI hotline had received an alert from a
voter who said the ink stamp in his passport disappeared an hour after
he cast his ballot (while it is supposed to stay there for at least 12
hours).
While not the only safeguard against repeated balloting, ink stamps
are supposed to exclude such an opportunity. The opposition has long
alleged that early oxidation of ink is a sign that some voters could
be engaged in repeated ballot.
CSI monitors have also reported guiding of voters outside polling
stations by certain people who give instructions to vote for the
government candidate.
At polling station 4/11 a Raffi Hovannisian proxy told a CSI observer
that a woman had been making a `roll call' within the premises of the
precinct and left only after his interference.
Allegations of people being bussed to polling stations have also been
made during the current vote. In some cases voters (most of whom are
supposed to be residents of nearby buildings) are brought on taxis.
There were also reported cases of precinct election commission heads
being absent from the premises of the precinct for more than 10
minutes.
In general, a shortage of proxies is observed at most polling
stations. Most of those present in polling stations are proxies of
current president Serzh Sargsyan. Some reports also allege cases when
Sargsyan has had more than one proxy at a polling station.
http://armenianow.com/vote_2013/43581/armenia_presidential_election_2013_february_18_vot ing_violations
From: A. Papazian