The subject of “Aravot” online “Face to Face” program is debated by Republican Party faction MP Levon Martirosyan and PAP faction MP Vahe Enfiajyan.
Nelly Grigoryan – Mr. Martirosyan, the representatives of the opposition political forces complained that prior to sending the draft electoral code to the Venice Commission, it should first be discussed among the political and social sphere of Armenia. The government authorities that was talking about new approaches with the new Constitution continued its hidden practice. Why?
Levon Martirosyan – The discussions on the Electoral Code has already begun in our social and political field. It is the time now. Sending to the Venice Commission is within our commitments in the framework of the Council of Europe. Why is it caused by to first send it to the Venice Commission rather than to present to the social and political forces? Shortage of time. Because one year later, we are going to hold parliamentary elections and we had to manage to go through all the procedures within the possible shortest time. I think that the authors of the draft had spoken about it. And even after sending to the Venice Commission, the draft has undergone numerous amendments by the authors themselves and after being approved by the government, this document was subject to changes, not to speak about that during the debates at the National Assembly, when our colleagues presented their proposals, it will again undergo many changes. Hence, the process is still in the very earliest stage.
N. G. – Wouldn’t it be logical to send the final draft to the Venice Commission, especially since changes are expected, and it is very possible that, let’s say, any of them would not comply with the standards of the experts of Venice Commission?
Read also
L. M. – Perhaps, it could be, but I repeat, it was a matter of time, there is no any other type of problem: political etc. The Venice Commission is not the kind of body that convenes sessions every day. If I am not mistaken, it convenes session once in two months. The next session is scheduled in mid-April and the other one in mid-May. Hence, we had to send it as soon as possible.
Nelly Grigoryan – Mr. Enfiajyan, PAP supported the process of constitutional reforms as it believed in the vision of new Armenia that the government promises. This draft that is the cornerstone in building new Armenia, to what extent did it justify the PAP party’s expectations?
Vahe Enfiajyan – Yes, we have seen the positive elements in the constitutional amendments that mirror the PAP party’s provisions, we believe in the provisions of our program and followed its path. In the period of constitutional amendments, there were constant talks about the new electoral process, the previous harmful phenomena that received criticism by international and local institutions, which often has not been a great honor for us. Also, with regard to the trust threshold, we often had problems both with the citizens and political structures. What should the EC reflect in itself? A great confidence. Initially, how this process will go, our country citizens will have the appropriate attitude to the electoral process. In other words, those obscure, suspicious or risky aspects if, however, they remain in this draft, we must record in the beginning that the RA citizen will have reservations in the electoral processes.
N. G. – Please clarify, which are the obscure, suspicious and risky aspect of the draft for you?
V. E. – We have announced that we attach great importance to this process and cannot express and opinion “on foot”. We have specialists who are working on this document, we are going to make our recommendations to the upcoming political processes. But at the moment, there are several controversial issues: the restrictions associated with the same media, NGOs and observers pertaining to the eight people, etc.
N. G. – Mr. Martirosyan, adding to the question of your opponent, why is a licensing procedure defined for the observers, essentially, taking the members of the observation missions under control?
L. M. – The authors have repeatedly noted that there was a misunderstanding, an incorrect information is issued and it was eliminated. As for the restriction, the authors will have the opportunity to speak, simply a number has been taken to hold discussions around it. There is no problem, this number can grow more so on. A draft is submitted just for discussion making people express their thoughts and so on. No one wants the atmosphere of confidence to be low, and the EC will not be a result of consolidation.
V. E. – But there was no misunderstanding, this number is published in the document.
L. M. – It was published and then immediately removed. Anyway, the authors have said that it was a misunderstanding. In any case, this is still a draft for discussions. I also a lot of recommendations to present. We can already speak about the final document: which offer was accepted and which – not.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
P. S. One of the readers of “Aravot” asked our guests: what is the meaning of the colored ballots? Due to the time constraints, it was not possible to raise the question during the program. Later, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs, Hovhannes Sahakyan, said that its goal is to exclude mixing the ballot voted in favor of one party with other party’s ballot. The reader of “Aravot” has also made the following observation, “We have tried so many things: transparent ballot boxes, ballot envelopes … anyway, the elections are rigged. Instead of having colored ballots, it is necessary to have a regular will and not to rig.”
“Aravot” Daily
