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On March 18, 2016, Partnership for Open Society Initiative held a discussion in Vanadzor on ‘RA Draft Electoral Code and Issues Regarding the Exercise of Electoral Rights in Armenia’.

The discussion was facilitated by Vardine Grigoryan, Coordinator of Monitoring and Reporting for Democratic Institutions, HCA Vanadzor, and the speakers included as follows: Artur Sakunts, Chairman of HCA Vanadzor; Heriknaz Tigranyan, Legal Adviser at Transparency International Anticorruption Center; and Levon Barseghyan, President of ‘Asparez’ Journalists’ Club.

In terms of the topic of Significance of Changes in the new RA draft Electoral Code in the context of RA Constitutional Amendments, A. Sakunts highlighted the importance of such meetings adding that on the threshold of constitutional referendum, Partnership for Open Society Initiative held public debates also in different settlements in Armenia.

A. Sakunts noted that once again the public debates were initiated not by the draft authors but rather by the civil society members and drew the attention of the participants that the draft authors failed to ensure the involvement of both the entire political framework, and the civil society and considered it to constitute a degrading treatment to the public.

The speaker observed that the Draft authors provided no reasonable answers either to any question on the validity of the constitutional amendments, or to the problematic questions regarding the draft Electoral Code.

In his speech, A. Sakunts noted that according to the study of the draft Electoral Code, it aimed to promote formation of a stable majority by the ruling party. This is evidenced by the limitation of the number of parties to create a coalition, which inevitably reduces the possibility of NA opposition parties for making a stable political majority.

According to the speaker, the proposed draft covers the recommendations of neither OSCE/ODIHR, nor Venice Commission, and the RA authorities took a selective approach to the recommendations of international organizations.

A. Sakunts highlighted the analysis of the electoral code in the logic of the constitutional amendments, noting that the declared objectives and actions taken did not correspond to each other.

Then, Heriknaz Tigranyan, Legal Adviser at Transparency International Anticorruption Center, took the floor. She made her observations on the problematic provisions of the new draft Electoral Code.

Firstly, she talked about the impossibility of presenting any proposals at the initial development stage of the draft Electoral Code, since it was not clear which authorities exactly were engaged in its development.

According to H. Tigranyan, the draft Electoral Code is a penal one for every person who attempted to show rebellious behavior; particularly, journalists and observers were targeted; restrictions are imposed on them in an attempt to keep the voting process beyond control.

The speaker also noted that the new draft Electoral Code had not complied with the procedure as stipulated by the Law on Legal Acts.

Among other issues, H. Tigranyan pointed out the provisions undermining the secrecy of the ballot and non-effective mechanisms for appeal.

She drew special attention to the fact that the draft Electoral Code proposed considering the information on the voting precincts of military servicemen as confidential.

H. Tigranyan also spoke about unequal opportunities of election campaign and issues of the electronic registration system.

In terms of the topic of Mechanisms for Restoring Civil Trust in Elections and Civil Participation, Levon Barseghyan, President of ‘Asparez’ Journalists’ Club, referred to the restricted number of observers and mass media representatives at polling stations under the draft Electoral Code, considering it illogical.

According to the speaker, another issue of concern is the possibility of removing an observer from a polling station at the discretion of the chairperson of the electoral commission.

Then L. Barseghyan talked about the possible indirect election of mayors in large cities of the country, which according to him would be inappropriate.

In the end of his speech, he referred to the need for providing equal opportunities for coverage of local elections in Yerevan and other settlements in the country.

Then, the discussion covered the issues raised, and the discussion participants voiced their concerns and proposals on the draft Electoral Code highlighting the publication of signed voters’ lists.