Monday, December 10 2018 17:43

ArmInfo. For the first time in  a long time, free, competitive and consonant with democratic norms  elections took place in Armenia. This opinion was expressed at the  press conference on December 10 by the director of the  anti-corruption center of Transparency International Sonna Ayvazyan,  referring to the results of the monitoring of the organization  "Independent Observer" on the results of the early parliamentary  elections in Armenia.

She explained that 300 polling stations throughout Armenia were  selected for monitoring, which is only 15% of the total. However,  according to her, the data obtained reflect the general picture of  the voting held on the eve. "Observers freely carried out their  mission at 98-99% of polling stations," she added. Ayvazyan stressed  that for the first time, voters spoke about the lack of pressure from  representatives of political forces. The main problem hindering the  voting, according to the director of the anti-corruption center, was  that in 48% of polling stations there were no conditions for access  by persons with limited capabilities.<Elections were held in a  peaceful atmosphere, in general, in tune with the law. According to  observations, problems related to quality were identified.the work of  the election commissions, but in general terms it did not affect the  election process, "said Ayvazyan.She explained that this time, due to  a change in the monitoring methodology, the main emphasis was placed  on significant violations that could affect the results of the vote.  In this vein, she noted that, in general, 107 cases of violations at  polling stations were registered, in particular, concerning the  presence of unauthorized people, violations of the secrecy of the  vote, repeated attempts, directed voting, pressure, etc.

In turn, the chairman of the Gyumri club of journalists <Asparez>  Levon Barseghian said: <This time, like during the elections to the  Yerevan Council of Elders, there were no systemic massive violations,  fraud, electoral bribes, accumulations in front of polling stations,  pressure through administrative resources, system inaction of law  enforcement agencies, which previously took place in significant  volumes>. At the same time, he supported Ayvazyan's opinion, noting  that, in general, a peaceful atmosphere reigned at the polling  stations.The head of the Vanadzor office of the Helsinki Civil  Assembly, Arthur Sakunts, noted that in 30 years the parliamentary  elections held the day before were the closest to democratic and free  voting, in particular from the point of view of registered  violations. At the same time, he stressed that from the point of view  of the use of administrative resources, the parliamentary elections  of this year are not comparable with the 2017 elections.In  conclusion, speaking about the registered violations, the head of the  "Union of Informed Citizens" public organization, noted that  absolutely all the candidates in the National Assembly carried out  propaganda in social networks when it was no longer allowed.It should  be noted that in the framework of the "Akantes" initiative, which  conducted observations during the early parliamentary elections of  the Republic of Armenia, held on December 9 of this year. 581  observers participated in 300 polling stations. The mission was  attended by 52 mobile teams and 41 territorial observers. Mobile  teams visited 503 polling stations. The observational process was  facilitated by 30 lawyers and as many operators.