Republicanization and Free Elections
09:42, February 8, 2013 | News | Electoral Rights
According to experts, the gaps of Electoral code cast doubt over the February 18 presidential elections. Human rights protagonist Artur Sakunts considers the candidates’ declaration on income as one of the legislative gaps which CEC is not entitled to reveal.
“They should pose questions to clarify where the funds comes from when the candidate’s annual income exceeds 60 million dollars. The revenues acquired through illegal means are spent for the benefit of election process”, told “A1+” human rights activist Artur Sakunts.
According to him, CEC’s authorizations are not only restricted but also fall short. “I can bring you a very simple example: only the RPA candidate’s flags are hanging on the electric columns in the area of local self-governing body. It is reported that flags are not campaign materials but those flags were posted during the election campaign”, stated the human rights activist.
Today presidential candidate Hrant Bagratyan is very concerned that the CEC does not disseminate the actual list of voters. The candidate noticed that pursuant to the lists, 2.5 million citizens have a right to vote when Armenia’s population is 2.800.000. The reason brought up by the CEC is that RA residents who had migrated from Armenia were automatically included in the lists.
“If we are supposed to vote only in Armenia, then the permanent population should vote, while those who arrive in Armenia during elections can also vote after they have received a relevant notice”, told Hrant Bagratyan.
The presidential candidates proposed a recommendation to CEC to open precincts in countries where the migration rate of RA residents was higher, but it was declined. The CEC has refused to present separate lists of citizens residing in and outside Armenia.
“It means the names are included in the general lists and your proxy will never be able to identify the mistake and the violation. It is of a serious issue”, noted the presidential candidate.
The majority of human rights defenders and presidential candidates are not satisfied with the activities carried out by the Central Election Commission, however, they are convinced that CEC isn’t the one to ensure free and fair elections.
“If schools, kindergartens, and all other state institutions are republicanized, there is no point mentioning about fair and transparent elections”, stated human rights activist Artur Sakunts.