The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human rights (ODIH) published the final report on the parliamentary elections of Armenia held April 2, 2017.
According to the report, the OSCE/ODIHR EOM received many credible reports directly from voters.47 Allegations extended into election day, when media reported on and IEOM observed large groups of voters visiting parties’ campaign offices before voting. Several OSCE/ODIHR EOM interlocutors, including some government officials, indicated that vote-buying had become an entrenched part of the political culture and stated that accepting money or other benefits in exchange for votes was often explained by extreme poverty and lack of economic opportunities.
According to the recommendations of the report, the authorities and political parties should undertake utmost measures to increase public trust in the integrity of the elections, including public discouraging of selling and buying votes and to ensure that pressure is not applied on citizens to attend campaign events or vote in a particular way.
Also, the authorities and political parties should undertake utmost measures to increase public trust in the integrity of the elections, including public discouraging of selling and buying votes and to ensure that pressure is not applied on citizens to attend campaign events or vote in a particular way.
OSCE/ODIH emphasizes that measures should be taken to ensure full transparency of media ownership, for example, by requiring clear identification of the ultimate owners of media outlets. Information on media ownership and funding sources should be available to the public.