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COUNCIL OF EUROPE CALLS FOR ARMENIAN POLITICAL PARTIES TO BACK LOCAL DEMOCRACY
hetq
18:19, September 24, 2012
The mission of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the
Council of Europe calls for a strong commitment of political parties
to local democracy in Armenia.
"Our satisfaction with the fact that these elections take place
according to international standards is mitigated by the lack of
engagement of political parties with local governance," said Henry
FERAL (France, EPP), head of the delegation for the observation of
local government elections in Armenia.
Following the observation of part of local elections conducted on
9 and 23 September 2012 * the Congress noted with satisfaction that
the voting took place in a serious and calm atmosphere and the level
of participation was satisfactory. No observer detected any obvious
fraud though the issue of possible vote buying was raised by many
stakeholders.
However, the delegation noted the lack of commitment of political
parties with regret. While recognizing that this is due to various
reasons, such as lack of financial resources, staff and candidates,
it believes that political parties do not pay enough attention to
democracy and governance at the local level.
Moreover, while acknowledging the existence of initiative from citizens
who have participated in the electoral process, the Congress calls
for greater involvement of all of civil society.
The Congress was the only international observer to follow part of
the local elections. The mission took place from September 6 to 10
and 19 to 25 September 2012. The Congress delegation comprising of
14 members plus four members of the Committee of the Regions of the
European Union, met with representatives of the Government, members
of Parliament, representatives of political parties, members of the
diplomatic corps, representatives of the international community as
well as representatives of the media and NGOs.
* On September 9, 2012 the Congress mission worked in the marzes of
Armavir, Ararat, Lori, Shiraz; on September 23, 2012 they worked in
the marzes of Gegharquniq, Aragatsotn, Kotayq, Tavush, Vayots Dzor.
From: Baghdasarian
hetq
18:19, September 24, 2012
The mission of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the
Council of Europe calls for a strong commitment of political parties
to local democracy in Armenia.
"Our satisfaction with the fact that these elections take place
according to international standards is mitigated by the lack of
engagement of political parties with local governance," said Henry
FERAL (France, EPP), head of the delegation for the observation of
local government elections in Armenia.
Following the observation of part of local elections conducted on
9 and 23 September 2012 * the Congress noted with satisfaction that
the voting took place in a serious and calm atmosphere and the level
of participation was satisfactory. No observer detected any obvious
fraud though the issue of possible vote buying was raised by many
stakeholders.
However, the delegation noted the lack of commitment of political
parties with regret. While recognizing that this is due to various
reasons, such as lack of financial resources, staff and candidates,
it believes that political parties do not pay enough attention to
democracy and governance at the local level.
Moreover, while acknowledging the existence of initiative from citizens
who have participated in the electoral process, the Congress calls
for greater involvement of all of civil society.
The Congress was the only international observer to follow part of
the local elections. The mission took place from September 6 to 10
and 19 to 25 September 2012. The Congress delegation comprising of
14 members plus four members of the Committee of the Regions of the
European Union, met with representatives of the Government, members
of Parliament, representatives of political parties, members of the
diplomatic corps, representatives of the international community as
well as representatives of the media and NGOs.
* On September 9, 2012 the Congress mission worked in the marzes of
Armavir, Ararat, Lori, Shiraz; on September 23, 2012 they worked in
the marzes of Gegharquniq, Aragatsotn, Kotayq, Tavush, Vayots Dzor.
From: Baghdasarian