Vladimir Hakobyan: It is strange, that observation missions can make assessments containing elements of campaigning in their reports
Tert.am spoke to the Press Secretary to the President of Armenia Vladimir Hakobyan and Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission Tigran Mukuchyan about the “Constitutional Referendum: Pre-referendum Assessment” report published on the website of Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center, on behalf of a number of organisations carrying out observation missions in the referendum on Constitutional amendments in Armenia. The interviewees answered questions regarding the claims of observers about “supposed violations”.
Mr Hakobyan, yesterday Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center NGO website published “Constitutional Referendum: Pre-referendum Assessment” report (in English) on behalf of a number of organisations carrying out observation missions of the referendum, where it is suggested, in particular, that the President of the Republic “made a unilateral decision to introduce amendments”, that the referendum was facilitated on a fast-track and aggressively, and that the main objective of the proposed amendments is to ensure the incumbent president stays in power, continuing his leadership role as the Speaker of the National Assembly or as Prime-Minister. How would you comment on this?
I have come across to that information in the media, and one can reasonably suppose from the title of that report, that it is about the organisaiton of pre-referendum process and its execution. It’s strange that the document can include the political assessments you have mentioned now. However, taking into consideration that today and tomorrow, on the occasion of the referendum, the law demands obsering so-called “elections silence”, I have to refrain from commenting on that and other similar assessments.
The report also claims that the proposed amendments will negatively affect the protection of human rights in Armenia, weakening the role and responsibilities of the state in that field. What can you say about this?
Your question again supposes a substantive response. So, I will again refrain from expressing an opinion.
Still, it’s strange at least that the mentioned organisations which carry out observation mission can come up with evaluations containing elements of campaigning in their reports or otherwise, since I am sure every observer is interested in ensuring objectivity and reliability of their reports, and therefore – they have to ensure impartiality in this entire process.
Tert.am addressed the same question to the Chairman of Armenian Central Electoral Commission Tigran Mukuchyan.
Mr Mukuchyan, yesterday Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center NGO website published “Constitutional Referendum: Pre-referendum Assessment” report (in English) on behalf of a number of organisations carrying out observation missions of the referendum, where it is claimed that a number of violations have been registered in the pre-referendum process, in particular, with the number of voters, as well as with the alleged abuses of administrative resources. How would you comment on this evaluation?
We are not yet aware about the report you mentioned. Regarding the alleged violations observed in the report, the CEC has received no official communication or application until today from any organisation carrying out observation mission. Obviously, we will investigate any information claiming violations and will react in due manner shall those violations be in the frameworks of our competencies.
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