Home > 2.3 Observation > ARMENIA - Joint Opinion on the Draf Electoral Code (As of 18 April 2016)
 
 
 
Download file    
 
 
Paragraph 89
 

Furthermore, additional restrictions found in the draft code may impede the activity of citizen observers and undermine transparency of the electoral process. For example, Article 51.2(21) allows the CEC to revoke the qualification certificate of an observer for violating “the requirements of this Code”, which could open the door to revoking certificates for any minor violations. As in the current code, the draft code provides that Armenian citizen observer organisations may carry out observation only if their charter includes as one of its aims issues related to democracy and protection of human rights and if they do not support electoral contestants. Moreover, the draft code provides as a new requirement that these charter’s aims should have been in effect for at least 3 years preceding the call of elections (Article 30.1.2). The latter requirement deprives new organisations of the possibility to observe elections, and should be reconsidered.