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Diasporan Monitors Remain Positive Despite Widespread Election
Irregularities
16:02, May 14, 2013
*By Sara Anjargolian& Ursula Kazarian*
As reports of irregularitiesduring the Yerevan Municipal election continue
to make headlines in the media, members of a joint local-Diaspora
monitoring team, which exceeded 100 people, are neverthelessoptimistic
about the level of engagement and partnership between local organizations
and Diaspora resources.
The effort, which was the first of its kind, encouraged local monitors
and provided a unique avenue of engagement for Diasporans. From the
opening of the polls at 8am to the end of the vote count, which
stretched well past midnight at many precincts, Diasporans stood
alongside local monitors to deter fraud and to record any
irregularities.
Each two-member team was equipped with video cameras and trained in their
legal right under the Armenian Electoral Code to photograph and make video
recordings. Specifically, the Diaspora team chose to deploy its monitors to
what have become recognized as Yerevan's `hot spots,' in District 7
(Sebastia-Malatia) and District 13 (Nubarashen), both of which are known to
be heavily influenced and controlled by local oligarchs.
VIOLATIONS REPORTED ACROSS PRECINCTS
Observed violations included threats of physical harm and damage to
property; routine dismissal by election commission members of violations
observed and reported by monitors; what appeared to be premeditated and
organized chaos, aided by commission members, with the apparent intent to
distract observers and/or to infringe on their right to film and photograph
the proceedings; and an overwhelming number of "helpers"- people designated
to assist those who may be physically unable to vote alone.
"Helpers" are allowed under the Armenian Electoral Code; however, according
to many local and Diasporan monitors, most of these "helpers" were not
occasional individuals helping family members or friends, but instead
arrived in parallel with busloads of mostly elderly voters as part of what
appeared to be an orchestrated strategy.
Diasporan repatriate Babken Der Grigorian, who was monitoring polling
station 7/15 with his partner Paola Guevara, reported that more than 70
`helpers' were registered to escort blind, disabled, or otherwise infirm
voters at his polling place.
At precinct 7/28, where Diasporan repatriates Pedro Zarokian and
ArmenKupelian were stationed, individuals registered as `observers' under
shell NGOs caused ongoing commotion and often obstructed the legitimate
monitors' ability to record violations, some of which were committed by the
precinct's electoral commission chair. Zarokian also reported voter
intimidation,which included roving gangs of men who congregated in front of
the polling station and seemed to be responsible for `delivering'
votes.
[TSV2] [UK3]
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW FORM OF DIASPORAN INVOLVEMENT?
Despite a long day full of these challenges, most Diasporans involved
in the monitoring mission felt inspired and energized by the
experience. Such was the case for Diasporan repatriatesNairiHakhverdi
and Paula Der Matoian, who were stationed together at precinct 7/14
and managed to capture some of the chaos that took place inside the
precinct on video[TSV4] .
After the polls closed, Hakhverdi remarked, `I can honestly say that
we made a difference at our polling station. Simply getting the
chairman to comply with the electoral code was enough to keep
fraudsters on their toes. We couldn't prevent suspicious voting
completely, but we certainly got proxies and commission members
sweating!'
DiasporanRoubenGalichian, who was deployed to precinct 7/18, shared a
similar sentiment: `I enjoyed it and think that our presence, badges and
the cameras did affect the voters' and the committee members' attitude and
behavior. They all seemed to be more careful and on their toes.I will
happily do it again.'
A journalist documents a conflict at her polling station. Diasporan Matt
Ghazarian and his partner Mariam Dilbandyan watch and document the voter
registration process.Diasporan repatriate Arina Zohrabian discusses her
notes with a reporter at her precinct. Diasporan repatriate Babken Der
Grigorian documents two people approaching the voting booth together.Diasporan
Garine Palanjian checks voters' passports to confirm their identity.
Photo 1. Diasporan repatriate Babken Der Grigorian watches the vote
counting process after the polls close.
*Photographs courtesy of Eric Grigorian*
http://hetq.am/eng/news/26468/diasporan-monitors-remain-positive-despite-widespread-election-irregularities.html
Irregularities
16:02, May 14, 2013
*By Sara Anjargolian& Ursula Kazarian*
As reports of irregularitiesduring the Yerevan Municipal election continue
to make headlines in the media, members of a joint local-Diaspora
monitoring team, which exceeded 100 people, are neverthelessoptimistic
about the level of engagement and partnership between local organizations
and Diaspora resources.
The effort, which was the first of its kind, encouraged local monitors
and provided a unique avenue of engagement for Diasporans. From the
opening of the polls at 8am to the end of the vote count, which
stretched well past midnight at many precincts, Diasporans stood
alongside local monitors to deter fraud and to record any
irregularities.
Each two-member team was equipped with video cameras and trained in their
legal right under the Armenian Electoral Code to photograph and make video
recordings. Specifically, the Diaspora team chose to deploy its monitors to
what have become recognized as Yerevan's `hot spots,' in District 7
(Sebastia-Malatia) and District 13 (Nubarashen), both of which are known to
be heavily influenced and controlled by local oligarchs.
VIOLATIONS REPORTED ACROSS PRECINCTS
Observed violations included threats of physical harm and damage to
property; routine dismissal by election commission members of violations
observed and reported by monitors; what appeared to be premeditated and
organized chaos, aided by commission members, with the apparent intent to
distract observers and/or to infringe on their right to film and photograph
the proceedings; and an overwhelming number of "helpers"- people designated
to assist those who may be physically unable to vote alone.
"Helpers" are allowed under the Armenian Electoral Code; however, according
to many local and Diasporan monitors, most of these "helpers" were not
occasional individuals helping family members or friends, but instead
arrived in parallel with busloads of mostly elderly voters as part of what
appeared to be an orchestrated strategy.
Diasporan repatriate Babken Der Grigorian, who was monitoring polling
station 7/15 with his partner Paola Guevara, reported that more than 70
`helpers' were registered to escort blind, disabled, or otherwise infirm
voters at his polling place.
At precinct 7/28, where Diasporan repatriates Pedro Zarokian and
ArmenKupelian were stationed, individuals registered as `observers' under
shell NGOs caused ongoing commotion and often obstructed the legitimate
monitors' ability to record violations, some of which were committed by the
precinct's electoral commission chair. Zarokian also reported voter
intimidation,which included roving gangs of men who congregated in front of
the polling station and seemed to be responsible for `delivering'
votes.
[TSV2] [UK3]
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW FORM OF DIASPORAN INVOLVEMENT?
Despite a long day full of these challenges, most Diasporans involved
in the monitoring mission felt inspired and energized by the
experience. Such was the case for Diasporan repatriatesNairiHakhverdi
and Paula Der Matoian, who were stationed together at precinct 7/14
and managed to capture some of the chaos that took place inside the
precinct on video[TSV4] .
After the polls closed, Hakhverdi remarked, `I can honestly say that
we made a difference at our polling station. Simply getting the
chairman to comply with the electoral code was enough to keep
fraudsters on their toes. We couldn't prevent suspicious voting
completely, but we certainly got proxies and commission members
sweating!'
DiasporanRoubenGalichian, who was deployed to precinct 7/18, shared a
similar sentiment: `I enjoyed it and think that our presence, badges and
the cameras did affect the voters' and the committee members' attitude and
behavior. They all seemed to be more careful and on their toes.I will
happily do it again.'
A journalist documents a conflict at her polling station. Diasporan Matt
Ghazarian and his partner Mariam Dilbandyan watch and document the voter
registration process.Diasporan repatriate Arina Zohrabian discusses her
notes with a reporter at her precinct. Diasporan repatriate Babken Der
Grigorian documents two people approaching the voting booth together.Diasporan
Garine Palanjian checks voters' passports to confirm their identity.
Photo 1. Diasporan repatriate Babken Der Grigorian watches the vote
counting process after the polls close.
*Photographs courtesy of Eric Grigorian*
http://hetq.am/eng/news/26468/diasporan-monitors-remain-positive-despite-widespread-election-irregularities.html