The past referendum was unprecedented not by the number of frauds (they are the same in average over 20 years) but by the number of identified and registered violations. What made this possible? Of course, among other circumstances, the number of video and recording devices, the easiness of using them, as well as, certainly, the social networks and the Internet, in general, played their role. But I would not underestimate the maturity of the society. It seems to me that that it is for any unbiased person that the public sector has strengthened its position in Armenia in recent years, and particularly it is due to this fact that several organizations were able to carry out effective observation mission. The media beyond any control has also increased. Globally, the source of my optimism is that informed and independent-minded people begin to gradually prevail in the new generation, the generation of my children.
Imagine a 20-year-old girl who went to the polling stations as an observer, proxy or a committee member. She sees that the forgers are willing to commit a crime and is trying to record it. In the beginning, the forgers are trying to terrorize but the girl, let’s suppose, resists. But as the cheaters are the part of the state system, they quickly determine the girl’s weaknesses and immediately telephone her parents and relatives, who perhaps are working in the public sector. The parents (are of my age, hence, people who “have seen the Soviet”) are calling the daughter and recite approximately the following text, “What are you bringing over our head? Do you want us to appear in the street? Quit everything right now and come back home”. After that, there are two options, the girl either returns home not willing to jeopardize the family members or opposes to them. In the first case the winning of the authorities is recorded, the second case, the problem of forgers is complicated, and here too, there are two possible options, either the “neighborhood good guys” are acting and an act of violence occurs or the authorities are losing in this polling station.
The entire problem is that these 20 years old young people have become more, and non-governmental organizations and the political parties have the chance to choose and train those who are able to resist. It seems like a part of the oppositions begin to understand it. Instead of organizing small-crowded rallies in the Liberty Square, saying pompous speeches and repeating traditional formulas about the “regime and panic”, it is necessary to choose and train this kind of young people to attend the 2017 parliamentary elections.
When I am writing such things, some people are resentful, “you are pouring water to the mill of the government.” My job is to offer, I do not have a separate political preference, let the RPA party remain, let the ANC or the UN come. But the tradition of fair elections sooner or later will be formed.
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Aram ABRAHAMYAN
