Russian observers: NKR elections were transparent, free and legitimate

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian observers have issued a statement on the outcomes of the presidential elections in Nagorno Karabakh, the NKR CEC told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. The statement says, in part, "International observers from different states, including the Russian Federation, arrived in Nagorno Karabakh to watch the presidential elections scheduled for July 19, 2007. The Russian observers attended numerous polling stations in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. We were offered success to the work of the Central Election Commission, polling stations and to the process of counting of votes. We also held meetings with some presidential contenders



The Russian observers have made the following conclusions:



1. The NKR CEC made a considerable contribution to make the election professional and trustworthy. The activities of the districts electoral commissions during the elections and counting of votes deserve a high estimation as well.



2. The presidential elections in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic were transparent, free and legitimate.



3. The elections were held on alternative basis: there were 5 contenders.



4. The observers did not fix serious violations in the procedure of registration, voting, counting of votes and transportation

of protocols from the polling stations to the CEC. No facts of interference unauthorized persons in the work of the electoral commissions were fixed either. The shortcomings noticed by the observers were of technical nature. Recommendations on their elimination were taken into account immediately.



5. Transparent ballot boxes were used and secured maximal transparency of the vote. The observers were offered the possibility to freely examine the documentation.



6. We were impressed by the activity of the voters, their motivation and civil stance.



7. The observers thank the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Election Commission and the authorities at various levels for cooperation and assistance rendered to the observation mission, detailed information on the election campaign and freedom of travel.



8. The Russian delegation states that progressive achievements in NKR are obvious.



9. These elections vividly demonstrate that the state system of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has been formed and is developing towards democracy and stability.



10. The Russian observers with regret learned of non-constructive statements of representatives of some international organizations as regards the presidential elections in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Nagorno Karabakh possesses political, legal and historical ground for the international recognition of its state independence.



11. Democratic achievements of the NKR need support and recognition by the international community, what would promote the settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh, establishment of stability and lasting peace in the region. Protraction of final recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic impedes its dynamic development and can cause destabilization in the region.