Coordinator of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) Levon Zurabyan sent a letter to Chief of Party for Armenia of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems Michael Getto with respect to participation in the November 22 symposium in Yerevan on reformation of Armenia’s electoral system.

The letter specifically reads: “We appreciate the invitation for participation in the symposium, but the ANC cannot participate in it.” Zurabyan brought the following reasons. According to him, discussion of any matters with the Armenian authorities will be possible only after the release of imprisoned opposition representatives and after a progress in investigation of the March 1, 2008, events.

Besides, Zurabyan said that through similar discussions around the Electoral Code, the “authorities want to create an impression that falsifications recorded during the previous elections are a result of the legislation’s imperfection and the problem can be resolved through improvement of the Electoral Code.”

Zurabyan noted that if the ANC agreed to participate in the discussions, it would have admitted that the problems of electoral system are related to the electoral legislation’s imperfection, the ANC press service reported.