24th Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (Strasbourg, 19-21 March 2013)

Observation of local elections in Armenia, 20 March 2013

Statement by Brian MEANEY, Member of the EU Committee of the Regions

Embargo until pronounced - Check against delivery

The Committee of the Regions “underlines that the current situation in Armenia and the trajectory of its political development have to be understood in the context of the country's religious heritage and troubled history which includes constant foreign invasions and the traumatic experience of the genocide committed against Armenians in the early part of the 20th century” This is a quotation from our dear late colleague, from the Committee of the Regions, Teet Kallasvee who was  rapporteur for the Committee of the Regions on an Armenian Opinion .It is with the understanding requested in the opinion that the Members of the CoR approached the joint Congress/Committee of the Regions Election Observation Mission to Armenia.

The observation was in two parts the first part was a small mission (6 People)  to observed the local  elections which took  place in 5 Regions  on the 9th of September 2012. The second large mission (20 People) travelled to observe the local elections of 23rd  September. These joint observation missions were the only international observation of the local elections in Armenia .

We are aware that democracy is compared to an impossible standard where 100% of the Electorate vote freely and fairly with full awareness of the policy positions of all the candidates, and those policy positions are rational and in the long term good of the citizen.

This never happens, it never has happened and is unlikely to ever happen but in all democracies it is the standard to strive for. Indeed the experience of the members of the committee of the regions in Armenia has caused us to have a higher regard for our own electoral process and seek ways to improve them.

There was no training undertaken specifically for these elections but  members have had general training on monitoring elections and   have previous experience in the observation of elections. I Haved observed elections in Azerbaijan and Ukraine and written the report on the Ukrainian elections for the CoR

Väino Hallikmägi-Serbia Local and regional elections 2008,2012. Moldavia –local and regional elections 2011. Armenia –Election for Mayor Yerevan  2009

Jerzy Zajakala has observed elections in Bosnia and Hercegovina 2009, and  Moldova 2011.

A press conference after the debriefing, attended by all members of the Committee of the Regions and the majority of the Congress Members was well attended by media. An amended agreed statement was presented. Noting that there were administrative and timing problems with the issuing of the press statement, the members of the Committee of the Regions are in agreement with the amended press release.

The issues of common concern to most of the Election Monitoring Teams were:

•             Too many people present in a number of polling stations.

•             Campaign materials ( posters ,pictures ) visible outside polling station at election day

•             Lack of engagement by media.

•             Tense atmosphere outside some polling stations.

•             Some Police activity/ involvement questioned.

•             Very few women candidates.

•             Almost total absence of disabled access polling stations.

•             Agreement by all that a strong head of electoral commission needed in each polling stations.

I just wish to note a logistical matter which may be of benefit to the organisation of   future monitoring missions. After the briefing by the Ambassadors members of the various National delegations spent time in conversation with their National Embassy staff, This delayed the meeting, and while it is important to allow the national groups talk  with their embassy representatives, the timing of such future briefings should take account of this .

The members of the Committee of the Regions noted  that in polling stations where the head of the Electoral Commission had a strong presence and a full working knowledge of the electoral code that the polling stations were well organised  and ordered . The CoR members recommend that for the conduct of future elections a lot of emphasis has to be  placed on identifying and training the head of electoral commission in each polling Station.

The Members of the Committee of the Regions who participated in the local election in Armenia on the 9th and 23 of September noted with regret the lack of interest by media and some political parties. We are concerned that not enough attention is being paid to democracy and governance at a local and regional level.

The CoR acknowledge that some progress has been made in the conduct of elections  in Armenia and can report that generally voting took place in a serious and calm manner  with an adequate level of participation. The Members of the CoR have identified a number of breeches of the electoral code and these have been communicated through the report forms to the Secretariat of the Congress.

Generally the conduct of voting  was free and fair. The issue of vote buying was raised by a number  of stakeholders but no direct evidence of this was provided.

The Members of the Committee of the Regions wish to thank the Congress in providing for our participation in the Observation mission and look forward to building a good working relationship participating in future  Election Monitoring Missions.