Parliamentary opposition does not believe in authorities` sincerity  in implementing provisions of new Electoral Code 

ArmInfo.  Head of Armenian National Congress Faction Levon Zurabyan expressed concerns that the authorities will not allow organizing online broadcasting from  polling stations during the parliamentary elections in 2017, he stated about this at the parliament today. 

According to the politician information is spread in certain circles  that during the elections uninterrupted broadcasting will be  announced impossible for technical reasons. "If the authorities state  about this on the threshold of the elections this will mean that they  intentionally hamper this process, in order to rig the elections, as  it is online broadcasting that is the main guarantee of fair  elections", he stressed. 

In her turn Head of Heritage faction Zaruhi Postanjyan stated that  the new Electoral Code does not contribute to holding fair elections.  Particularly, she noted that preferential voting allows oligarchs to  maintain power and enter new parliament. "The new Electoral Code will  become regular mechanism for the authorities to maintain their  power", she noted. 

To note, on September 13, representatives of authorities and  oppositionist factions in 444 format signed new agreement on  creating additional mechanisms of raising public confidence towards  elections. Parliament of Armenia passed alterations and amendments to  the Election Code with 102 votes "for," 4 votes "against" and 4  "abstentions," on October 20. Minister, Head of Government  Administration David Harutyunyan, noted that the main amendment  relates to scanning electoral lists signed by the voted citizens and  their publication on the website of Central Electoral Commission.  This is done to control the process of citizens' participation in the  voting and not to allow double voting or voting by false documents.   Harutyunyan noted that this amendment contradicts to the norms of  Venice Commission, however the authorities have agreed to this step  in order to restore citizens' confidence towards electoral processes.  The second important amendment made in the document relates to  installment of video cameras in the polling stations for controlling  the electoral process. Broadcasting will be online and video  materials will be archived. Special commission comprised of  representatives from the authorities, political forces and civil  society will purchase the equipment. 15 mln EUR is needed for  purchasing video equipment, the Armenian government agreed to  allocate 3 mln, while donor organizations promised to provide the  remaining funds. Harutyunyan informed that as for now only the  Armenian government has fulfilled its financial obligation.