Thursday, June 15 2017 13:55

ArmInfo.The ruling power of Armenia tries to adjust the Electoral Code to itself so that it served to them. On June 15, in Yerevan, the EU delegation head in  Armenia Piotr Switalski stated during a conference "Electoral processes in Armenia: lessons and further steps", summing up the results of the program "Longterm support to interested parties in elections holding in Armenia".

He recalled that the EU presented its own preliminary assessment to  the electoral processes in Armenia, and now the publication of the  document is expected which is being prepared by European Council, and  ODIHR/OSCE. According to him, after the publication of the report, in  case of necessity the EU will come up with new statement. 

"I want to say that the elections passed became the end of the way,  passed by the republic, we can say that Armenia reached the goal of  reforming of the democratic institutions. It took 25 years to do  that. However we know what it depended on. Moreover, we can say with  confidence that the situation in the state is better than in a number  of other post soviet states. I believe, the last elections, and the  electoral processes in Armenia I hardly will be witness of again,  will be held on a totally another level", he said.

He noted that Armenia has achieved serious success in the matter of  holding discussions on the new Electoral Code. He recalled that for  the first time all sectors of society took part in the discussions,  which can only be welcomed. "However, I want to note that a  compromise and consensus was reached on a limited number of points in  the new EC, which can not be ignored," said Switalski. At the same  time, he urged not to embarrass himself with illusions and continue  the difficult path begun to eliminate the shortcomings.

"The ruling power tries to adjust the Electoral Code for themselves,  so that it serves the interests of the ruling elite, which is typical  for many countries. However, I would like that the Electoral Code in  Armenia was not the subject of a political watershed, but rather  reflect the practitioners' approaches in European countries. In this  regard, I have the following messages to the Armenian authorities: to  improve the Electoral Code, the past elections showed that there is  still much to move. In addition, he called for increasing public  confidence in electoral institutions by involving representatives of  civil society in the Council of the Central Election Commission.

The Ambassador also touched upon the deep crisis in education  institutions of Armenia, he recalled that in the institutions  agitations were conducted, facts of beating were registered, pressure  usage which is an evidence of low cultural level. Such a behavior is  unacceptable. 

Switalski said that he believes that Armenia which is fighting for  freedom, in the end will reach its tasks and democratic values will  be spread across the state.