NKR MFA issued a statement in connection with  March 31 presidential  and parliamentary elections

ArmInfo.On March 31, 2020, in accordance with the Constitution adopted at the national referendum in 2017, the sixth presidential and the seventh parliamentary  elections were simultaneously held in the Republic of Artsakh, the  press service of NKR MFA reports.  The authorities of the Republic  created all the necessary conditions for the elections to be held on  a competitive and free basis and in line with international  standards. 

The elections in Artsakh attracted unprecedented attention: over 140  international observers and about 40 foreign journalists from 38  countries expressed readiness to participate in them. Unfortunately,  due to the preventive measures in place in different countries,  including restrictions on movement caused by the spread of the new  coronavirus (COVID-19), the participation of international observers  and foreign journalists was impossible. 

We express our deep gratitude to all international observers who  expressed readiness to support this important democratic process in  Artsakh by their participation. At the same time, around 950  representatives of non-governmental organizations from Artsakh and  Armenia observed the elections.  The elections passed in a calm  atmosphere, with the active participation of voters. 

The turnout made 72.2 percent of the total number of voters.  According to the preliminary data of the Central Electoral Commission  of the Republic of Artsakh, five political forces were elected to the  National Assembly (Parliament). It should be noted that 10 political  parties and 2 party alliances competed for parliamentary seats. Due  to the fact that none of the presidential candidates took over 50% of  the votes, the second round of the presidential elections is set to  be held, which will take place within the time frame prescribed by  the law.  The elections held in conditions of openness and political  pluralism have once again demonstrated the determination of the  authorities of the Republic of Artsakh in the effective organization  of the public life based on the democratic principles, the consistent  improvement of state institutions, and the provision of efficient  mechanisms of public control.  

We are convinced that the strengthening of democratic traditions and  their spread throughout the South Caucasus will become an important  contribution to ensuring peace, stability and predictability in the  region, as well as create the necessary conditions for the final  settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict by exclusively  peaceful means.  The consistent efforts of the authorities and people  of Artsakh should be supported by the international community, since  the strengthening of democracy, human rights and the rule of law is  universal and therefore is the collective responsibility of the  entire world community. The creation of artificial obstacles on this  path is a violation of the provisions of fundamental international  human rights instruments.