Akanates observation mission calls for cancelling results of draw of  lots for campaign billboards in Gyumri 

ArmInfo. The Akanates observation mission has called for the results of the draw of lots for campaign billboards in the early elections to the Gyumri Council of Elders to  be annulled or for their proportional distribution to be ensured.

As reported by the press service of the observation mission, the call  is due to the fact that the Workers' Socialist Party of Armenia  (RSPA), which is participating in the elections, was deprived of the  opportunity to use campaign billboards. As explained by the  commission, the RSPA applied to the Central Electoral Commission  (CEC) with a request to use 7 out of 68 billboards with an area of  over 5 square meters located in Gyumri for campaign purposes.  However, none of these billboards were provided to the party.

"According to the Central Election Commission's explanation, the  party applied for only 7 billboards, and when they were distributed  by lot among other political forces, the RSPA did not take part in  the distribution of the remaining billboards," the commission  explained.

Thus, according to the Akanates monitoring commission, the automated  system for distributing campaign billboards managed by the CEC  distributed them in the following proportion: the Country for Life  party received 11 panels; the Democratic Alternative party - 9  panels; the European Alliance bloc - 8 panels; the My Strong  Community party - 6; the Mother Armenia bloc of parties - 11; the Our  City bloc - 12; the Civil Contract party - 11 panels; and the  Workers' Socialist Party of Armenia - 0. In turn, the Communist Party  of Armenia refused to participate in the distribution.

In this regard, the commission emphasized that no political force  should be excluded from the process of communication with voters,  which, in turn, contributes to ensuring fair competition. "We  consider it important to emphasize that the results of the draw must  guarantee equal conditions for all participating political forces.  The CEC is obliged to monitor the observance of the principle of  equality. Technical or legal shortcomings of the draw system should  not limit the ability of parties to conduct effective election  campaigns and influence the opinion of voters," the observation  mission concluded.

The early elections to the Councils of Elders of Gyumri, Shirak  region, and Parakar, Armavir region will be held on March 30 this  year. Nine political forces are participating in the elections - six  parties and three blocs.