Despite the possible delay of Armenian presidential elections, ICES observer mission is launching the planned monitoring of the preparation and conduction of 2013 polls.

“ICES experts were shocked by the assassination attempt on presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan, wishing him speedy recovery and urging relevant institutions to conduct operative investigation,” ICES statement reads.

The group of long-term observers will include 8 experts and will commence their work on February 3 of 2013. It plans to organize meetings with presidential candidates, parliamentary group leaders, representatives of campaign headquarters and Armenian media.

The main group of short-term observers will arrive in Armenia on Feb 14 unless the elections are postponed for a longer term. On the Election Day all experts will be disbursed to various cities in Armenia in order to have maximum coverage of the regional electoral precincts.

The mission is comprised of independent experts, including attorneys and former diplomats, political scientists, media representatives and Members of European and national Parliaments, representing countries of the European Union, United States and Israel.