ArmInfo. The last month of the previous year was quite successful in terms of implementation of technical identification of voters, Head of EU Delegation to Armenia Piotr Switalski stated at the press conference today.
According to him, UN Development Program has taken the mission on implementation of this program, while donor funds provided by EU, the USA, Germany, Great Britain were put together by the Armenian government to implement this complex process duly. According to him the partners from Armenian government have demonstrated constructive approach and have provided necessary assistance in this issue. Switalski expressed hope that in the nearest future technologies on identification of voters will reach Armenia and will be tested already in February. Representatives of UNDP do everything they can to prepare everything for April 2, the day of elections. Negotiations continue on the issue of installing video cameras at polling stations, Switalski said. At the same time he added that the organization, which expressed readiness to install the cameras, has set difficult standards and conditions, which do not correspond to existing funds.
At the same time he stated that he is optimistic and is sure that the sides will manage to reach compromise on the issue in short terms. As far as I know quite intensive negotiations have taken place on this issue recently and a working consensus has been reached. I highly appreciate the fact that the sides are trying to find a solution. I think that it will be possible to find a decision, acceptable for all the sides despite limited time. I hope that the solution will be found till the end of the week, Switalski noted. At the same time he added that according to the agreement between EU and the Armenian government all the programs of the European Union implemented in the country are exempted from VAT and expressed hope that this will relate to this issue also as the European side is one of the donors of the project.
To recall, the provision of installing video cameras in all the polling stations has been stipulated by the new Electoral Code, which was adopted by the agreement reached between the opposition and the authorities. However, Minister, Head of Government's Administration David Harutyunyan did not rule out that during the upcoming elections there may be no cameras as an organization to organize programming and installment of the technical control system has not been found yet.