IRI delegation to observe Armenia’s elections

PanARMENIAN.Net - A delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI) will be in Armenia from June 3 to 8 to observe the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7, according to a statement issued by the organization.

The delegation, led by National Endowment for Democracy (NED) President and former U.S. Congressman Peter Roskam, arrived in Yerevan on June 3 to join IRI’s long-term observers and engage with a broad range of stakeholders, Armenpress reported.

The mission’s program includes meetings with election authorities, representatives of ruling and opposition parties, civil society organizations, journalists, diplomatic missions and government institutions involved in the administration of the elections.

Roskam said the elections are taking place at an important moment in Armenia’s democratic development.

“The outcome of these elections will not only shape Armenia’s approach to economic and security issues and its relations with regional and international partners, but will also have long-term implications for public confidence in the electoral process,” he said.

According to the statement, the delegation will present its preliminary assessment of the elections during a press conference in Yerevan on June 8.

IRI also noted that its initial findings and recommendations will build on the results of a pre-election assessment conducted in April, which examined the conditions necessary for holding credible elections ahead of the June 7 vote.

The organization said a final report containing an independent evaluation of the electoral process, along with findings and recommendations regarding both the campaign period and election day, will be released in the weeks following the vote.