Observer: Armenia can be proud to be a democratic country

PanARMENIAN.Net - Despite its complicated geopolitical situation, Armenia can be proud to be a democratic country, PACE former vice-president, Czech MP and international observer Anna Čurdova said in Yerevan.

Comparing this vote with previous parliamentary elections in 2003-2007, she marked significant progress in Armenia’s electoral process.

“Armenia managed to reach progress on its democratization path with regard to establishment of political culture and voter education,” member of the international ICES observation mission told a press conference on May 7.

According to Čurdova, electoral process in Armenia went “in a very good atmosphere” and within the set standards, in line with EU democratic principles.

The observer mentioned that all parties were granted equal access to e-media. She also highlighted the importance of observers’ presence at all polling stations, who represented both the political parties and NGOs; in addition, citizen turnout was quite high.

However, observers recorded some technical inaccuracies, which can in no way affect the final outcome of the elections.

Čurdova thanked all representatives of electoral commissions for their work. “Nobody can claim elections in Armenia were forged,” she added.

International Center of Election Systems (ICES) observing mission includes 20 independent experts from 8 EU states, U.S. and Israel. Headquarters of ICES mission is in Yerevan’s Congress Hotel.

ICES president, Knesset member Alexander Tsinker heads the observation mission.