Peaceful voting day, but main opposition alliance significantly involved in electoral violations
Summary of Akanates press conference, video recording of press conference with English interpretation below: The Akanates observation mission stated that the voting process was peaceful and well organized with no serious violations that would impact the election results. Although the pre-election campaign was quite fierce, these elections were generally in the hands of Armenian citizens. […]
Democratic elections with high voter engagement in reporting violations
Summary of the Independent Observer alliance press conference, video recording of press conference with English interpretation below: The ‘Independent Observer’ alliance concluded that the election was democratic and that violations were not of a significant nature. The voter turnout of more than 49% was similar to the 2018 elections. These elections were unique in that voters were […]
Misuse of administrative resources on all sides and tense environment affects public discourse
Summary of the Independent Observer alliance press conference, video recording of press conference with English interpretation below: The Independent Observer alliance, to which EPDE member Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor belongs, reported that these elections are unique in that misuse of administrative resources was prevalent not only among the ruling party, but also among the opposition. In […]
Reflections on the election campaign and predictions for E-Day
During a live discussion hosted by EPDE, leading Armenian political analysts reflect on the election campaign, what choice voters are faced with, and what the likely scenarios for these elections may be. This election is remarkable for its competitiveness. It is clear that the main contenders of the election are incumbent, Nikol Pashinyan, and his main opponent, Robert […]
Pre-Election Day findings – Akanates mission
Summary of Akanates press conference, video recording of press conference with English interpretation below: Campaigning and transparency of finances The Akanates observation mission, which includes EPDE member Transparency International Anticorruption Center, notes that party campaign spending during early election campaigning is insufficiently regulated by the Electoral Code and that parties’ reports on their spending […]
Roundtable summary: ‘Threats to Election Day – evaluation of election preparations and security concerns’
The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) hosted its fourth closed expert roundtable discussing issues that might pose a threat to the upcoming snap parliamentary elections. Immediate concerns include the post-war security situation, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the short term for organizing the elections. Despite these threats, Armenia is currently facing an important milestone in […]
Preliminary report snap parliamentary elections
The Akanates (Eyewitness) is a domestic, non-partisan observation initiative founded in 2018 by Transparency International Anticorruption Center, Journalists’ Club Asparez, “Restart” Scientific and Educational Foundation and Law Development and Protection Foundation. More about the network and their observation methodology here. In this preliminary report the Akanates observation mission observed preparations of CECs, TECs, PECs, generally […]
Roundtable summary: ‘Political party landscape and campaign messaging’
The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) hosted its third closed expert roundtable, during which leading Armenian political commentators and experts analyzed the main political actors in the current election campaign, their campaign messaging, and what their chances are in the upcoming elections. The election results are not easily predictable, while the election campaign is […]
Roundtable summary: ‘Electoral reform – the present state and future steps’
The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) hosted its second closed expert roundtable to discuss how the electoral reform process has gone so far, what the present state of electoral reform is, and what the future reform steps following the 20 June election might be. The recently adopted package of electoral reforms went through a […]
Roundtable summary: ‘Accessibility of Elections Under Pandemic Conditions’
In the run up to the 20 June early parliamentary election in Armenia, the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) hosted a closed expert roundtable to discuss the accessibility of elections under the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as general issues of accessibility that existed even prior to the pandemic outbreak, including access for vulnerable […]