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ARMENIA POLL OBSERVERS ALLEGE MISUSE OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES FOR RULING PARTY
http://www.rttnews.com/2059761/armenia-poll-observers-allege-misuse-of-government-resources-for-ruling-party.aspx?type=gn&utm_source=google&utm_campaign= sitemap
2/19/2013 10:08 AM ET
Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) who monitored Armenia's presidential election blamed government
partiality in favor of the ruling party.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, OSCE said "the misuse of
administrative resources resulted in a blurred distinction between
the activities of the state and those of the ruling party." The
international election observers noticed the participation, while
on leave, of a large number of public and civil servants in the
campaign of President Serge Sarkisian, who was reelected to a second
five-year term by winning more than half of the votes polled in
Monday's elections.
Sarkisian secured 58.7 percent of the votes, while his closest rival
Raffi Hovannisian managed to get only 39.75 percent. Hovannisian's
camp had earlier alleged several electoral malpractices.
Sarkisian has been Armenia's President since 2008.
Monday's polls, which saw a 60 percent voter turnout, was widely seen
as a test for democracy in the former Soviet Republic.
On the positive side, the international observation mission concluded
that the election was generally well-administered and was characterized
by a respect for fundamental freedoms, including those of assembly
and expression.
There have been clear improvements in the electoral process since
the previous presidential elections, and we have noted progress in
many areas, including the media environment and the legal framework,"
said Karin Woldseth, the Head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE) delegation. "At the same time, our joint
findings note several important areas where marked improvement is
needed to ensure full public trust in the electoral process," he added.
by RTT Staff Writer
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
http://www.rttnews.com/2059761/armenia-poll-observers-allege-misuse-of-government-resources-for-ruling-party.aspx?type=gn&utm_source=google&utm_campaign= sitemap
2/19/2013 10:08 AM ET
Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) who monitored Armenia's presidential election blamed government
partiality in favor of the ruling party.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, OSCE said "the misuse of
administrative resources resulted in a blurred distinction between
the activities of the state and those of the ruling party." The
international election observers noticed the participation, while
on leave, of a large number of public and civil servants in the
campaign of President Serge Sarkisian, who was reelected to a second
five-year term by winning more than half of the votes polled in
Monday's elections.
Sarkisian secured 58.7 percent of the votes, while his closest rival
Raffi Hovannisian managed to get only 39.75 percent. Hovannisian's
camp had earlier alleged several electoral malpractices.
Sarkisian has been Armenia's President since 2008.
Monday's polls, which saw a 60 percent voter turnout, was widely seen
as a test for democracy in the former Soviet Republic.
On the positive side, the international observation mission concluded
that the election was generally well-administered and was characterized
by a respect for fundamental freedoms, including those of assembly
and expression.
There have been clear improvements in the electoral process since
the previous presidential elections, and we have noted progress in
many areas, including the media environment and the legal framework,"
said Karin Woldseth, the Head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE) delegation. "At the same time, our joint
findings note several important areas where marked improvement is
needed to ensure full public trust in the electoral process," he added.
by RTT Staff Writer
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress