The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) undertook a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) from 30 November to 2 December 2016 to assess the pre-election environment in Armenia and the preparations for the elections.
Based on the findings of this mission, the OSCE/ODIHR NAM recommends the deployment of an Election Observation Mission for the 2 April parliamentary elections in Armenia, while still awaiting an official invitation from the Armenian authorities.
In addition to a core team of experts, the OSCE/ODIHR NAM recommends the secondment of 24 long-term observers from OSCE participating States to follow the electoral process countrywide, and 250 short-term observers to follow election day proceedings.
The OSCE/ODIHR has previously observed nine elections and one referendum in Armenia, including the 2012 parliamentary elections.
In General
Most OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors largely welcomed the legal amendments to the country’s Electoral Law, viewing it as a positive development in building public confidence ahead of the elections.
According to the report, the new Code addressed many previous OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, including those related to voter lists and identification, women’s representation as candidates, complaints and appeals, and rules on campaign and campaign finance. However, some recommendations remain unaddressed, particularly related to constitutional restrictions on candidacy and electoral thresholds.
The NAM report expressed concern about the effective implementation of the new Electoral Code and the impartiality of the election administration, including on election day. The conduct of the election campaign and potential abuse of state resources, media coverage, functioning of the new voter identification system and web-cameras, access for citizen observers, publication and handling of signed voter lists, and resolution of possible complaints and appeals would be at the center of the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission.
In more detail
– Several OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors voiced concerns about how Precinct Election Commissions (PECs) are formed and their ability to impartially and efficiently administer the new electoral procedures.
– To address longstanding concerns of the opposition and civil society about potential impersonation of voters de facto abroad, the Electoral Code now provides for the publication of signed voter lists after election day. Most OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors deemed this a valuable confidence-building measure and tool to check against potential fraud. However, a number of concerns were voiced about the criminalization of intentional misreporting on voter impersonation. A number of OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors voiced concerns that the introduction of criminal sanctions for intentional misreporting on voter impersonation undermines the effectiveness of publishing signed voter lists. (Government officials stated that such sanctions were necessary to deter widespread false statements on impersonation, which could block the finalizing of election results.)
– Several OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors expressed concerns about an overly formalistic approach in handling complaints and a lack of confidence in the impartiality of the election administration and courts. Although the new timelines for filing and resolving complaints were considered reasonable.
– Despite legal protections, several OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors stated that press freedom remains hampered by threats, intimidation, and harassment. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) has urged the authorities to ensure restraint on the part of law enforcement representatives toward members of the media.
– While OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors generally assessed Internet freedom positively, concerns were expressed about the political affiliation of private broadcasters and disproportionate coverage of incumbents during the campaign.
– Voter registration is passive and the police maintain a nationwide electronic voter register. No OSCE/ODIHR NAM interlocutors raised concerns regarding the accuracy of voter lists. On election day, for the first time, all voters will have their fingerprints and identification cards scanned and electronically stored as a means to check against potential multiple voting. The equipment and procedures are yet to be publicly tested.
source http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/armenia/293546?download=true
