  ICES: NKR presidential polls held in line with international electoral standards July 20, 2012 - 13:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The official observer mission of the International expert Center for Electoral Systems (ICES) characterized presidential polls in Nagorno Karabakh as free expression of popular will, in line with international electoral standards. As the mission head Alexander Tsinker stated in Stepanakert, the elections were held in an atmosphere of democratic and competitive struggle, with high voter turnout reported. No electoral frauds were noted at ICES-monitored electoral districts or while handing over the protocols to Central Electoral Committee, the observers noted. Also no disturbances occurred during the polls, with no attempt to undermine voting procedures taken. According to preliminary results of the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic’s Central Election Committee, the incumbent leader, Bako Sahakyan, gained 47 085 (66,7%) of the votes to win the presidential race. His major rival Vitaly Balasanyan garnered 22 966 (32,5%) of votes while Arkady Soghomonyan received 594 (0,8%) of votes. Partner news  Top stories Bako Sahakyan signed a decree to award Ararat Avanesyan and Arthur Gasparyan with “For the Liberation of Shushi” medal. 200 ceasefire violations by the Azeri armed forces were reported at the line of contact between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan. “There was a great deal of new and interesting research presented during the conference,” said ANC of Illinois activist Greg Bedian. The Turkish government aggressively pushed for Turkey's inclusion in Investment Partnership between the U.S. and EU.   Partner news |  Topic Latest news Libya's interior minister submits resignation, sources say  Awash with weapons in private hands, armed attacks have increased in the last few weeks, especially on police stations in Benghazi.Human Rights Watch: more Afghan women imprisoned for "moral crimes" Human Rights Watch says many are jailed for running away from home, often from forced marriages or domestic violence.Benedict Cumberbatch’s Julian Assange biopic to open in Oct The drama centers on the relationship between Assange and Domscheit-Berg, which became increasingly fraught as WikiLeaks' influence grew.Disney greenlights new "Star Wars" animated series "Star Wars Rebels" takes place between the events of "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" and "Episode IV: A New Hope". |
