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OSCE/ODIHR OBSERVERS' REPORT
http://www.a1plus.am/en/politics/2013/02/19/yhk
06:39 PM | TODAY | POLITICS
YEREVAN, 19 February 2013 - Armenia's presidential election was
generally well-administered and was characterized by a respect for
fundamental freedoms, including those of assembly and expression,
concluded the international election observation mission in a
statement released today. At the same time, the statement said, a
lack of impartiality on the part of the public administration and the
misuse of administrative resources resulted in a blurred distinction
between the activities of the state and those of the ruling party.
Candidate registration was inclusive, contestants had the chance
to campaign freely and voters had the opportunity to express their
choice. Media fulfilled their legal obligation to provide balanced
coverage and all contestants made use of their free airtime, the
statement said.
Among the concerns over misuse of administrative resources identified
in the statement was the participation, while on leave, of a large
number of public and civil servants in the campaign of the incumbent.
"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."
The electoral framework is comprehensive and conducive overall to the
conduct of democratic elections, and election commissions administered
the process in a professional manner, the statement said. It also
noted that, while several candidates alleged that voter lists were
inflated and raised concerns about possible impersonation of out-of
country voters, no evidence of this had been provided prior to Election
Day. The mission assessed positively the efforts that had been made
to improve the accuracy of voter lists, although further work in this
area remains to be done.
"We have observed a calm election day, characterized by no major
difficulties in electoral procedures, following a somewhat quiet,
low-key election campaign lacking significant political debate and
real competition," said Milan Cabrnoch, the Head of the European
Parliament delegation. "This was mainly due to the decision by three
main parties not to nominate candidates."
The campaign remained peaceful, although one candidate was shot and
injured early in the campaign under circumstances that are under
investigation, the statement said. 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, were observed.
"Having been in the country for six weeks, we can say that candidates
were able to campaign freely and fundamental freedoms were respected.
Overall, the election was administered in a professional manner and
real efforts were made by the authorities to improve the quality of
the voter lists. The media covered all candidates in a rather balanced
manner, but that coverage would have benefitted from more critical
analysis and debates between candidates," said Ambassador Heidi
Tagliavini, the Head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions
and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) long-term election observation mission.
"Unfortunately, the blurring of the distinction between the State and
the ruling party continues to be an issue. This was demonstrated in
the misuse of administrative resources, pressure on voters, and a
lack of impartiality on the part of the public administration."
http://www.a1plus.am/en/politics/2013/02/19/yhk
06:39 PM | TODAY | POLITICS
YEREVAN, 19 February 2013 - Armenia's presidential election was
generally well-administered and was characterized by a respect for
fundamental freedoms, including those of assembly and expression,
concluded the international election observation mission in a
statement released today. At the same time, the statement said, a
lack of impartiality on the part of the public administration and the
misuse of administrative resources resulted in a blurred distinction
between the activities of the state and those of the ruling party.
Candidate registration was inclusive, contestants had the chance
to campaign freely and voters had the opportunity to express their
choice. Media fulfilled their legal obligation to provide balanced
coverage and all contestants made use of their free airtime, the
statement said.
Among the concerns over misuse of administrative resources identified
in the statement was the participation, while on leave, of a large
number of public and civil servants in the campaign of the incumbent.
"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."
The electoral framework is comprehensive and conducive overall to the
conduct of democratic elections, and election commissions administered
the process in a professional manner, the statement said. It also
noted that, while several candidates alleged that voter lists were
inflated and raised concerns about possible impersonation of out-of
country voters, no evidence of this had been provided prior to Election
Day. The mission assessed positively the efforts that had been made
to improve the accuracy of voter lists, although further work in this
area remains to be done.
"We have observed a calm election day, characterized by no major
difficulties in electoral procedures, following a somewhat quiet,
low-key election campaign lacking significant political debate and
real competition," said Milan Cabrnoch, the Head of the European
Parliament delegation. "This was mainly due to the decision by three
main parties not to nominate candidates."
The campaign remained peaceful, although one candidate was shot and
injured early in the campaign under circumstances that are under
investigation, the statement said. 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, were observed.
"Having been in the country for six weeks, we can say that candidates
were able to campaign freely and fundamental freedoms were respected.
Overall, the election was administered in a professional manner and
real efforts were made by the authorities to improve the quality of
the voter lists. The media covered all candidates in a rather balanced
manner, but that coverage would have benefitted from more critical
analysis and debates between candidates," said Ambassador Heidi
Tagliavini, the Head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions
and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) long-term election observation mission.
"Unfortunately, the blurring of the distinction between the State and
the ruling party continues to be an issue. This was demonstrated in
the misuse of administrative resources, pressure on voters, and a
lack of impartiality on the part of the public administration."