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U.S. DEPARTMENT SAYS DISTINCTION BETWEEN ACTIVITIES OF STATE AND THOSE OF RULING PARTY WERE BLURRED BOTH DURING PRE-ELECTION PERIOD AND ON ELECTION DAY
ARMINFO
Thursday, February 21, 12:50
U.S. Department of State has made a statement on the Armenian
Presidential Elections of February 18.
The statement reads: "The United States congratulates the people
of Armenia on their February 18 presidential elections, which were
judged by international observers to be generally well- administered
and characterized by a respect for fundamental freedoms, including
those of assembly and expression. The Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) found that the media fulfilled its legal
obligation to provide balanced coverage, and that all contestants
made use of their free air time.
We share, however, OSCE/ODIHR's concerns about a lack of impartiality
on the part of the public administration and the misuse of
administrative resources that resulted in a blurred distinction
between the activities of the state and those of the ruling party,
both during the pre-election period and on Election Day. We agree
with the findings that while Election Day was calm and orderly, it
was marked by undue interference in the process, mainly by proxies
representing the incumbent, and some serious violations, including
cases of pressure on voters.
The United States will continue to monitor the findings of
international and domestic election observers, as well as the
adjudication of election grievances during the post-election period.
We urge law enforcement officials to investigate and to take
appropriate action in response to credible reporting of election
violations, and we call on all parties to remain calm in this post-
election period and to exercise restraint in their actions."
To note, by preliminary results of the election, the incumbent
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan obtained 58.64% (861,160 votes),
the leader of Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian - 36.75% (539,672),
Hrant Bagratyan - 2.15%, Paruyr Hayrikyan - 1.23%, Andreas Ghukasyan
- 0.57%, Vardan Sedrakyan - 0.42%, Arman Melikyan - 0.24%. The CIS
and European observers gave generally positive assessment of the
presidential election, calling it democratic and legitimate despite
some insignificant violations.
From: Baghdasarian
ARMINFO
Thursday, February 21, 12:50
U.S. Department of State has made a statement on the Armenian
Presidential Elections of February 18.
The statement reads: "The United States congratulates the people
of Armenia on their February 18 presidential elections, which were
judged by international observers to be generally well- administered
and characterized by a respect for fundamental freedoms, including
those of assembly and expression. The Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) found that the media fulfilled its legal
obligation to provide balanced coverage, and that all contestants
made use of their free air time.
We share, however, OSCE/ODIHR's concerns about a lack of impartiality
on the part of the public administration and the misuse of
administrative resources that resulted in a blurred distinction
between the activities of the state and those of the ruling party,
both during the pre-election period and on Election Day. We agree
with the findings that while Election Day was calm and orderly, it
was marked by undue interference in the process, mainly by proxies
representing the incumbent, and some serious violations, including
cases of pressure on voters.
The United States will continue to monitor the findings of
international and domestic election observers, as well as the
adjudication of election grievances during the post-election period.
We urge law enforcement officials to investigate and to take
appropriate action in response to credible reporting of election
violations, and we call on all parties to remain calm in this post-
election period and to exercise restraint in their actions."
To note, by preliminary results of the election, the incumbent
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan obtained 58.64% (861,160 votes),
the leader of Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian - 36.75% (539,672),
Hrant Bagratyan - 2.15%, Paruyr Hayrikyan - 1.23%, Andreas Ghukasyan
- 0.57%, Vardan Sedrakyan - 0.42%, Arman Melikyan - 0.24%. The CIS
and European observers gave generally positive assessment of the
presidential election, calling it democratic and legitimate despite
some insignificant violations.
From: Baghdasarian