Armenia elections: EU, Germany, UK and U.S. warn of voter intimidationMarch 29, 2017 - 16:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union, the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement that they are concerned by allegations of voter intimidation and attempts to buy votes ahead of parliamentary elections in Armenia. Election to the National Assembly will be held on Sunday, April 2. Nine parties and blocs running for seats at the National Assembly have launched campaigns. The four powers said they are pleased with the latest tests of the voter authentication equipment developed for the election. "We firmly believe that this effort will diminish the likelihood of voter fraud on election day and will limit tampering with the electoral process inside polling stations," the statement said. "We note that our ultimate assessment of the conduct of the April 2 election will not be limited to observing electoral procedures on election day itself. "We are aware of and concerned by allegations of voter intimidation, attempts to buy votes, and the systemic use of administrative resources to aid certain competing parties." The statement went on to say that the four countries continue to urge all parties engaged in the election to abide by the letter and spirit of Armenia’s electoral law, calling upon relevant law enforcement authorities and electoral institutions to implement existing laws in an unbiased and credible manner. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. |