During the snap elections in Armenia on December 9th, 250 observers from 13 nations of the OSCE will carry out an observation mission. The mission’s goal is to record how well the electoral process corresponds to national and international legislative norms. Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights will be working in all regions of Armenia. “We will be looking at how the registration process goes for parties and candidates, how the central election authorities are preparing technically for such a large scale and fast action made necessary by a snap election, and we will be looking at how the media will be covering the election. If any candidates or parties or other interested parties make a complaint at any stage to the election authorities, we will see how those complaints are dealt with and how that procedure is implemented,” OSCE ODIHR Electoral Observation Leader Head Urszula Gacek told reporters.
Regarding the fact that the National Assembly did not accept a new Electoral Code, and the elections will take place using the old code, Urszula Gacek said, “We are here to observe, not to criticize. We have no political agenda, we do not favor any political option. We are looking at the process.”
Gacek also spoke about how some political forces noted that the elections were organized quickly. “The election was called completely in accordance with the prevailing norm. I met with the Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission, and they have a formidable task to put everything in place, but they assure us that they are moving quickly, and parties are in the process of registering their party list and their candidates. Of course, if anyone was prohibited or hindered in any way from dutifully registering, we have not had any indications at all yet. Of course, it has taken people by surprise politically, but I am sure that the parties will mobilize themselves quickly. If there are any irregularities, they will be reflected in our observations.”
Luiza Sukiasyan
