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OSCE: ARMENIAN ELECTION MORE DEMOCRATIC THAN FORMER POLLS
Interfax, Russia
Feb 19 2013
Monday's presidential election in Armenia, won by incumbent Serzh
Sargsyan, showed democratic progress but there were serious weak
points as well, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(ODIHR/OSCE) said on Tuesday.
"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," a press
release from the ODIHR cited the international observation mission
at the election as saying in a statement.
However, there was criticism as well.
"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," the release quoted Milan Cabrnoch, head of the
European Parliament delegation, as saying. "This was mainly due to
the decision by three main parties not to nominate candidates."
At a news conference in Yerevan on Tuesday, Cabrnoch promised that the
European Union would give Armenia any help it needs in its democratic
development.
The Armenian Central Election Commission claims that Sargsyan has
won 58.64% of the vote at the election, and that his chief rival,
Heritage opposition party leader and ex-Foreign Minister Raffi
Ovannisian got 36.75%.
as jv
Interfax, Russia
Feb 19 2013
Monday's presidential election in Armenia, won by incumbent Serzh
Sargsyan, showed democratic progress but there were serious weak
points as well, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(ODIHR/OSCE) said on Tuesday.
"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," a press
release from the ODIHR cited the international observation mission
at the election as saying in a statement.
However, there was criticism as well.
"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," the release quoted Milan Cabrnoch, head of the
European Parliament delegation, as saying. "This was mainly due to
the decision by three main parties not to nominate candidates."
At a news conference in Yerevan on Tuesday, Cabrnoch promised that the
European Union would give Armenia any help it needs in its democratic
development.
The Armenian Central Election Commission claims that Sargsyan has
won 58.64% of the vote at the election, and that his chief rival,
Heritage opposition party leader and ex-Foreign Minister Raffi
Ovannisian got 36.75%.
as jv