As of 4 p.m. the hotline of the Human Rights Defender’s Office received 40 calls. Complaints were resolved in a short period of time where possible, as well as legal consultation was provided to all citizens. The complaints were mainly concerning the accumulation of people in polling stations, failure to stream the electoral process online, the lack of facilities to make voting possible for persons with disabilities.
The Human Rights Defender’s Office received 5 calls on the lack of facilities to make voting possible for persons with disabilities. As a result of a discussion between the Ombudsman’s Office and the Central Election Committee, special assistance will be provided to persons with disabilities in all polling stations where there is a lack of necessary facilities.
The working group of the Human Rights Defender’s Office has analyzed more than 800 media publications concerning the alleged violations of electoral rights.
There were cases when journalist’s activities were evidently impeded, in particular the incident that took place with the journalists of “Araratnews.am” and “Azatutyun” radiostation nearby Rustaveli Street. In connection with this a proceeding under the Criminal Procedure Code has been initiated.
The Human Rights Defender’s Office is attentively following information regarding the possible obstacles for activities of journalists and observers. Any such obstacle for journalists is a criminal offence, despite the fact whether it is committed by a state authority or not.
The activities of the working groups continue in Shirak. Lori, Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces. Discussion procedures were initiated over 79 publications concerning the provinces and corresponding clarifications were requested from electoral commissions and police officers.
As of 4:30 p.m. no calls have been received on the electoral procedure from Penitentiary institutions.
During the whole day the Ombudsman’s Office is in contact with the EU Delegation’s external consultant on elections and the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Group members.