Galust Sahakyan, deputy chairman of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) refused to sign a declaration on creation of inter-party election headquarters to tackle electoral violations.

“A document on establishment of a single headquarters cannot be signed right away,” he said noting that the document is very vague; it specifies the rights of the office but omits its obligations.

RPA representative emphasized that this document cannot be signed without a discussion within the ruling coalition; following such discussion, RPA will respond to it.

Sahakyan reminded that the National Assembly of Armenia recently published a similar declaration on establishment of electoral oversight structure which could involve both the political forces and public organizations. He mentioned that the structure within the parliament will operate more efficient than the proposed inter-party headquarters.

Representatives of five political forces (ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Prosperous Armenia, Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc, Heritage and ARF Dashnaktsutyun parties) running for the forthcoming parliamentary elections participated in the discussion on establishment of a single inter-party headquarters to counter election forgery.

The idea was suggested by head of Political Analysts Union Hmayak Hovhannisyan.