Today, from the early morning the Human Rights Defender’s Office has carried out monitoring of the elections that had taken place in Armenian communities.
Members of the working group, established for that purpose, conducted necessary examinations, discussed the calls and complaints, as well as provided legal consultation under the Defender’s direct supervision.
In particular, a call was received to the hotline of the Office with regard to the gatherings near the electoral precincts and “guiding” the voters in the ballot process. The received information concerned the 21/4 polling station of Nerkin Getashen of Gegharkunik region. The matter was immediately observed and information was transferred to the RA Police.
During the whole day separate attention was paid to the information with regard to the elections published in media outlets. More than 270 publications were examined. Publications were recorded with regard to gatherings near the electoral precincts and “guiding” the voters in the ballot process and other cases. The publication on “guiding” the voter in the ballot process was recorded in Solak village of Kotayk region. A publication on removing the registry by a police officer from 26/14 polling station of Hrazdan was recorded. According to another publication, one of the voters had 2 ballot papers in 14/07 polling station of Ejmiatsin. Some publications were made by the candidates with regard to using administrative levers.
Special attention was paid to guaranteeing of journalists activities. No cases of obstruction of journalists’ activities were recorded by the Human Rights Defender’s Office.
The Defender’s Office has effectively cooperated with the Central Electoral Commission and law enforcement bodies.
Relevant measures will be taken within the Defender’s mandate concerning the media publications and hotline calls, as well as consistent work will be carried out thereof.
Complaints with regard to the realization of electoral rights can be submitted to the Defender via 116 and (096) 116100 telephone numbers or through visiting the Defender’s Office.