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OSCE/ODIHR publishes interim post-election report on Armenia
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/03/02/11171/
13:01 02.03.2013
The Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions
and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) issued a post-election interim report on
the presidential elections in Armenia.
This interim report should be read in conjunction with the
pre-election interim reports, as well as the Statement of Preliminary
Findings and Conclusions. The OSCE/ODIHR will issue a comprehensive
final report, including recommendations, approximately two months
after the completion of the electoral process.
The Mission reminds that `the Central Election Commission (CEC) on 19
February announced preliminary election results, indicating that
incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan was re-elected in the first round.
The second-placed candidate, Raffi Hovannisyan, disputed the results
and claimed that he won the election.'
`Since 20 February, Mr. Hovannisyan has staged a series of protest
rallies in Yerevan and several regions, which were joined by some
opposition parties and politicians. The gatherings were peaceful and
the authorities did not interfere, but the police stated that they are
illegal and could lead to administrative liability.
`There were requests for recounts and for invalidation of results of
132 Precinct Election Commissions (PECs), almost all filed by Mr.
Hovannisyan. Three recount requests initiated by election commissions
were upheld and revealed minor discrepancies from the original counts.
All other requests were rejected on the grounds that complainants were
not entitled to file them.
`On 25 February, the CEC unanimously adopted the final results
protocol and declared Mr. Sargsyan the winner, with 58.6 per cent of
votes cast. Mr. Hovannisyan received 36.7 per cent.
`A limited number of complaints were filed with the election
administration on election day, and over 80 after the election. Almost
all were rejected. The police and the Prosecutor General investigated
over 300 possible offences and initiated criminal proceedings in some
10 of them.
`Some broadcast media during the post-election period showed a
selective approach in their coverage of political events, with a
noticeable tendency to limit views critical of the conduct of the
election. A number of online media offered diverse views.
`Following election day and the announcement of preliminary results,
Mr. Hovannisyan claimed that he won the election. Starting from 20
February, he organized rallies in Yerevan and visited several other
cities. The police announced that these rallies are illegal and can
lead to administrative liability, but they did not interfere.
The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) announced that it had cancelled
a rally to celebrate the election victory of Mr. Sargsyan at Freedom
Square in Yerevan on 21 February, in order to avoid tensions or
clashes between the supporters of the two candidates.
`On 21 February, Mr. Hovannisyan met with Mr. Sargsyan. During his
rally on 22 February, Mr. Hovannisyan stated that he had asked the
president to prosecute all election-related violations and to hold a
second round of the presidential election between the top two
candidates. Alternatively, he demanded the resignation of the
government and the holding of early parliamentary elections; this was
rejected by the incumbent. The Presidential Administration told the
OSCE/ODIHR EOM that the incumbent had assured Mr. Hovannisyan that
perpetrators of violations would be prosecuted.
`Mr. Hovannisyan continued his rallies in six provinces, on 23 and 26
February, and in Yerevan, on 24 February. After the CEC declared the
final election results on 25 February, Mr. Hovannisyan announced that
he considers whether to challenge the results at the Constitutional
Court and that he would continue his protest in the regions and in
Yerevan.
`The coverage of the IEOM's Statement of Preliminary Findings and
Conclusions by television channels, including public H1, raised
questions over the genuineness of their efforts to provide an
objective and independent portrayal of the election. Most channels
(except Yerkir Media and Kentron TV) presented mainly the positive
aspects and generally omitted critical remarks and shortcomings
highlighted in the report. On the other hand, a number of online media
as well as Radio Azatutyun and public radio offered diverse views and
more balanced reporting,' the report reads.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/03/02/11171/
13:01 02.03.2013
The Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions
and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) issued a post-election interim report on
the presidential elections in Armenia.
This interim report should be read in conjunction with the
pre-election interim reports, as well as the Statement of Preliminary
Findings and Conclusions. The OSCE/ODIHR will issue a comprehensive
final report, including recommendations, approximately two months
after the completion of the electoral process.
The Mission reminds that `the Central Election Commission (CEC) on 19
February announced preliminary election results, indicating that
incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan was re-elected in the first round.
The second-placed candidate, Raffi Hovannisyan, disputed the results
and claimed that he won the election.'
`Since 20 February, Mr. Hovannisyan has staged a series of protest
rallies in Yerevan and several regions, which were joined by some
opposition parties and politicians. The gatherings were peaceful and
the authorities did not interfere, but the police stated that they are
illegal and could lead to administrative liability.
`There were requests for recounts and for invalidation of results of
132 Precinct Election Commissions (PECs), almost all filed by Mr.
Hovannisyan. Three recount requests initiated by election commissions
were upheld and revealed minor discrepancies from the original counts.
All other requests were rejected on the grounds that complainants were
not entitled to file them.
`On 25 February, the CEC unanimously adopted the final results
protocol and declared Mr. Sargsyan the winner, with 58.6 per cent of
votes cast. Mr. Hovannisyan received 36.7 per cent.
`A limited number of complaints were filed with the election
administration on election day, and over 80 after the election. Almost
all were rejected. The police and the Prosecutor General investigated
over 300 possible offences and initiated criminal proceedings in some
10 of them.
`Some broadcast media during the post-election period showed a
selective approach in their coverage of political events, with a
noticeable tendency to limit views critical of the conduct of the
election. A number of online media offered diverse views.
`Following election day and the announcement of preliminary results,
Mr. Hovannisyan claimed that he won the election. Starting from 20
February, he organized rallies in Yerevan and visited several other
cities. The police announced that these rallies are illegal and can
lead to administrative liability, but they did not interfere.
The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) announced that it had cancelled
a rally to celebrate the election victory of Mr. Sargsyan at Freedom
Square in Yerevan on 21 February, in order to avoid tensions or
clashes between the supporters of the two candidates.
`On 21 February, Mr. Hovannisyan met with Mr. Sargsyan. During his
rally on 22 February, Mr. Hovannisyan stated that he had asked the
president to prosecute all election-related violations and to hold a
second round of the presidential election between the top two
candidates. Alternatively, he demanded the resignation of the
government and the holding of early parliamentary elections; this was
rejected by the incumbent. The Presidential Administration told the
OSCE/ODIHR EOM that the incumbent had assured Mr. Hovannisyan that
perpetrators of violations would be prosecuted.
`Mr. Hovannisyan continued his rallies in six provinces, on 23 and 26
February, and in Yerevan, on 24 February. After the CEC declared the
final election results on 25 February, Mr. Hovannisyan announced that
he considers whether to challenge the results at the Constitutional
Court and that he would continue his protest in the regions and in
Yerevan.
`The coverage of the IEOM's Statement of Preliminary Findings and
Conclusions by television channels, including public H1, raised
questions over the genuineness of their efforts to provide an
objective and independent portrayal of the election. Most channels
(except Yerkir Media and Kentron TV) presented mainly the positive
aspects and generally omitted critical remarks and shortcomings
highlighted in the report. On the other hand, a number of online media
as well as Radio Azatutyun and public radio offered diverse views and
more balanced reporting,' the report reads.