The OSCE/ODIHR has recently published its second interim report on elections in Armenia. It has noted cases where campaign provisions of the Electoral Code were violated.
The report mainly cited the following: “The violations include campaigning in schools, teachers and students being asked to attend campaign events of the Republican Party of Armenia… Some cases of the use of administrative resources by the RPA were observed, including use of an ambulance for announcing a campaign event in Kapan (Syunik province).” We tried to get any comments in regards to this report from the RPA Press Secretary and NA Vice President Eduard Sharmazanov. The latter denied the fact that ambulance had been used for announcing a campaign event of RPA. “No car was used for intended purpose,” he stated. Sharmazanov commented on the provision of the Electoral Code dedicated to campaigning by pedagogical staff of the educational institutions. “It is mentioned in the report that on April 11 the high school students and professors were by force taken to participate in the RPA rally. I officially deny this statement. Secondly, the provisions of the Electoral Code do not prohibit parties to have pre-electoral meetings in the territory of educational institutions. Article 18.6 of the Electoral Code does not prohibit the campaigning and distribution of campaign material by pedagogical staff and in educational institutions. Instead, the campaigning and distribution of campaign material by pedagogical staff is prohibited when they fulfill their professional responsibilities; it is illegal. In other cases, the article 18.6 does not prohibit the campaigning and distribution of campaign material by pedagogical staff and in educational institutions. This kind of examples cast a shadow оn the whole report,” said the press secretary. He expressed hope that such incomplete remarks would not be included in the final report of the OSCE/ODHIR. “Unfortunately, the report does not reflect the general transparent and positive environment. The report is mainly centralized on the negative aspects and examples which are exception in the light of the general positive atmosphere,” he said. “When I compare interim reports with those of 2007 and 2008, biased opinion prevails here. Much importance is attached to various announcements on part of political parties; however, most of these announcements are simply part of electoral campaign,” noted Sharmazanov. It turns out that the PAP does not agree with the remarks in OSCE/ODHIR report. It is mentioned in the report that: “As a part of electoral campaign, in select marzes tractors were distributed on part of the benevolent foundation belonging to the PAP leader.” Gagik Tsarukyan’s press secretary has a completely different opinion; he doesn’t see any connection between the distributed tractors and electoral campaign. According to him, it is a part of party activities initiated in 2011. “It is a part of PAP activities. We made an official announcement, stating that it is a part of PAP pre-election program and it has nothing to do with electoral campaign,” stated PAP chair’s press secretary. To the confusing questions that electoral campaign is a part pre-election program and excessive use of material resources during this period is election bribe, Khachik Galstyan responded, “If we think this way, then the whole state budget is a part of election campaign as well. Should we suppose that all the government activities are part of the electoral campaign? Of course, not.” According to the OSCE/ODHIR report, the ANC violated certain rules during its electoral campaign by offending its opponents. ANC press secretary Arman Musinyan never denied using inappropriate words and expressions as regards to the ANC opponents. “If they consider it offensive, we can do nothing about that. If Armenia is under fascist regime, we call it the way it is. But it will come to an end very soon,” said A. Musinyan.
Gayane LALAYAN