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PACE MISSION SAYS ARMENIAN ELECTION WAS WELL-ADMINISTERED
ITAR-TASS, Russia
April 22, 2013 Monday 11:31 PM GMT+4
- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said
that the presidential election held in Armenia on February 18, 2013
"was generally well-administered and was characterised by a respect
for fundamental freedoms", thus constituting an improvement over the
previous presidential election in 2008.
In her report, Karin Woldseth (Norway), head of the mission which
observed the election, welcomed in particular the fact that the
candidates were able to campaign without hindrance, that the public
media provided balanced coverage and that election day was calm and
peaceful, the PACE said in a statement on Monday, April 22.
The report approved by the Assembly points out, however, that "a number
of shortcomings" were observed, in particular "abuse of administrative
resources" and "interference in the election process by candidate
proxies and supporters". In addition, the Assembly regretted that
voters saw their possible choices narrowed by the decision of major
political parties not to present candidates
The PACE urged the Armenian authorities to address these shortcomings,
which undermine public trust in the electoral process, in order to
ensure that they do not resurface in future elections, whether at
national, local or regional level. It also asked the authorities to
investigate all allegations of electoral fraud and misconduct and to
punish any perpetrators.
ITAR-TASS, Russia
April 22, 2013 Monday 11:31 PM GMT+4
- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said
that the presidential election held in Armenia on February 18, 2013
"was generally well-administered and was characterised by a respect
for fundamental freedoms", thus constituting an improvement over the
previous presidential election in 2008.
In her report, Karin Woldseth (Norway), head of the mission which
observed the election, welcomed in particular the fact that the
candidates were able to campaign without hindrance, that the public
media provided balanced coverage and that election day was calm and
peaceful, the PACE said in a statement on Monday, April 22.
The report approved by the Assembly points out, however, that "a number
of shortcomings" were observed, in particular "abuse of administrative
resources" and "interference in the election process by candidate
proxies and supporters". In addition, the Assembly regretted that
voters saw their possible choices narrowed by the decision of major
political parties not to present candidates
The PACE urged the Armenian authorities to address these shortcomings,
which undermine public trust in the electoral process, in order to
ensure that they do not resurface in future elections, whether at
national, local or regional level. It also asked the authorities to
investigate all allegations of electoral fraud and misconduct and to
punish any perpetrators.