OSCE/ODIHR observers launched their work in ArmeniaMarch 20, 2007 - 13:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Yesterday the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) opened an election observation mission for the May 12 parliamentary elections in Armenia. The PanARMENIAN.Net journalist was told in OSCE Yerevan office that 13 experts will be based in Yerevan, and 29 long-term observers will be deployed around the country. The ODIHR will request that a further 300 short-term observers be provided by OSCE participating States to monitor the opening and closing of polling stations on election day, voting, the vote count, and the tabulation of results. The mission will assess the parliamentary elections for their compliance with principles for democratic electoral processes, including commitments agreed to by all 56 OSCE participating States, as well as with national legislation. OSCE representatives will closely monitor campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes. "The recently amended election code of Armenia provides a sound framework for democratic elections, but the challenge for the authorities is its implementation in good faith, so that this and future elections are held in accordance with OSCE commitments," said Ambassador Boris Frlec, who heads the ODIHR mission. The mission intends to join efforts with the short-term observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, who will be headed by Tone Tingsgaard, Vice-President of the OSCE PA. The mission will also cooperate with other parliamentary delegations from the Council of Europe and, possibly, the European Parliament. Top stories President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. |