ANC: ODIHR deemed parliamentary poll inconsistent with democratic norms

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian National Congress (ANC) issued a statement, commenting on the final report of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on May 6 parliamentary elections.

According to ANC press service, the report said, “Elections met the improved legislation, preceded by competitive, dynamic and mainly peaceful election campaign, during which low level of trust in the process was recorded.

Some violations of election campaign conditions including use of administrative resources and attempts to restrict the voters’ freedom of choice created unequal ground for the participants.”

The report further pointed out to evidence of use of administrative resources, cases of multiple voting and voter bribery.

According to ANC, the assessment implied OSCE/ODIHR perceived the elections inconsistent with international democratic norms.

“ODIHR report harms Armenia’s image and weakens its positions in the negotiation process, with authorities bearing full responsibility for depriving the public of the right to elect power,” ANC statement reads.