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US AMBASSADOR URGES TO ENSURE FREE, FAIR AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA
NEWS.AM
March 28, 2012 | 16:59
YEREVAN. - U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern touched upon
forthcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia on his video blog.
He stressed that the quality of the elections is obviously important
to the Armenian people and for Armenia's future. But it is also
important for Armenia's bilateral relations with the US and other
western partners.
"That's why we are interested in observing Armenia's elections,"
he said adding that they would use the assessments to better target
electoral assistance to make sure that the assistance is put to the
best possible use.
John Heffern also spoke about recent local elections in Armenia
stressing there were some strong candidates. According to him,
political competition is essential for democracy.
"In these local elections we saw that using a new Electoral Code
has increased the importance of the party proxies, the observers,
the poll workers and journalists to ensure free fair elections,"
he added. The Ambassador brought several examples which he considers
contributed to orderly and transparent voting and vote count.
He pointed out responsibilities of the government and the voters.
"Government and law enforcement have responsibility to follow up
on any allegations of electoral violations that they hear. Voters
have responsibilities too, the first voting conscious, besides if
you see something on the election day or election period that does
not look right report to the authorities and follow up with them to
take action," he emphasized.
Summing up, he urged the government, the opposition parties, civil
society and journalists to do what ever they can to ensure free,
fair and credible elections.
"The US embassy promise on our part to do what we can," he concluded.
NEWS.AM
March 28, 2012 | 16:59
YEREVAN. - U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern touched upon
forthcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia on his video blog.
He stressed that the quality of the elections is obviously important
to the Armenian people and for Armenia's future. But it is also
important for Armenia's bilateral relations with the US and other
western partners.
"That's why we are interested in observing Armenia's elections,"
he said adding that they would use the assessments to better target
electoral assistance to make sure that the assistance is put to the
best possible use.
John Heffern also spoke about recent local elections in Armenia
stressing there were some strong candidates. According to him,
political competition is essential for democracy.
"In these local elections we saw that using a new Electoral Code
has increased the importance of the party proxies, the observers,
the poll workers and journalists to ensure free fair elections,"
he added. The Ambassador brought several examples which he considers
contributed to orderly and transparent voting and vote count.
He pointed out responsibilities of the government and the voters.
"Government and law enforcement have responsibility to follow up
on any allegations of electoral violations that they hear. Voters
have responsibilities too, the first voting conscious, besides if
you see something on the election day or election period that does
not look right report to the authorities and follow up with them to
take action," he emphasized.
Summing up, he urged the government, the opposition parties, civil
society and journalists to do what ever they can to ensure free,
fair and credible elections.
"The US embassy promise on our part to do what we can," he concluded.