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STATE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT ON ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
State Department Documents and Publications
February 20, 2013
Armenian Presidential Elections
Press Statement
Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
February 20, 2013
The United States congratulates the people of Armenia on their February
18 presidential elections, which were judged by international observers
to be generally well-administered and characterized by a respect for
fundamental freedoms, including those of assembly and expression. The
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for
Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) found that the
media fulfilled its legal obligation to provide balanced coverage,
and that all contestants made use of their free air time.
We share, however, OSCE/ODIHR's concerns about a lack of impartiality
on the part of the public administration and the misuse of
administrative resources that resulted in a blurred distinction
between the activities of the state and those of the ruling party,
both during the pre-election period and on Election Day. We agree
with the findings that 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.
The United States will continue to monitor the findings of
international and domestic election observers, as well as the
adjudication of election grievances during the post-election period.
We urge law enforcement officials to investigate and to take
appropriate action in response to credible reporting of election
violations, and we call on all parties to remain calm in this
post-election period and to exercise restraint in their actions.
PRN: 2013/0193
State Department Documents and Publications
February 20, 2013
Armenian Presidential Elections
Press Statement
Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
February 20, 2013
The United States congratulates the people of Armenia on their February
18 presidential elections, which were judged by international observers
to be generally well-administered and characterized by a respect for
fundamental freedoms, including those of assembly and expression. The
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for
Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) found that the
media fulfilled its legal obligation to provide balanced coverage,
and that all contestants made use of their free air time.
We share, however, OSCE/ODIHR's concerns about a lack of impartiality
on the part of the public administration and the misuse of
administrative resources that resulted in a blurred distinction
between the activities of the state and those of the ruling party,
both during the pre-election period and on Election Day. We agree
with the findings that 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.
The United States will continue to monitor the findings of
international and domestic election observers, as well as the
adjudication of election grievances during the post-election period.
We urge law enforcement officials to investigate and to take
appropriate action in response to credible reporting of election
violations, and we call on all parties to remain calm in this
post-election period and to exercise restraint in their actions.
PRN: 2013/0193