"Citizen Observer" claims mass violations at referendum in Armenia

The initiative "Citizen Observer" of the Transparency International Anti-Corruption Centre has published an interim report on the constitutional referendum held in Armenia. At the referendum, 88 violations were recorded at the opening of precincts, about 319 incidents were recorded during the course of the voting, and in 82 episodes observers were subjected to pressure.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 6, Armenia held voting at the referendum on the constitutional reform project. During the day, observers noted a low turnout, as well as violations committed at precincts. As at the time of the closure of the precincts, the voter turnout reached 50.51%.

According to the report, in the course of the voting, the initiative "Citizen Observer" recorded 400 violations, including 18 violations related to members of election commissions and their activities. Three violations were recorded in connection with the removal of voting objects outside the voting area. Besides, in four cases, ballots were brought outside the voting area. The initiative "Citizen Observer" revealed five cases of acceptance of bribe-taking and nine cases of ballot stuffing.

The observers also report on 25 cases of violence, pressure, and threats. In the course of the referendum, the observers revealed 39 cases of re-voting or voting for other voters.

The initiative "Citizen Observer" has also claimed that during the whole time of the voting, observers and journalists from the initiative "Citizen Observer" were under constant pressure. They were subjected to violence, threats, and attempts to bribing. The presence of observers, journalists, and authorized delegates in the voting areas was consistently limited. Besides, the activities of members of the election commissions were also restricted. The initiative "Citizen Observer" has revealed 82 such cases.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.