EU wants Armenian vote riggers "brought to account" YEREVAN
07:55 GMT, Dec 04, 2005
INTERFAX
Dec 4 (Interfax) - The European Union has called on the Armenian authorities and opposition to ensure that those responsible for "ballot stuffing and manipulation of the turnout figures" in the country's November 27 constitutional referendum are found and brought to justice.
"The EU welcomes the government of Armenia's positive role in the
process of constitutional reform and believes that the package of amendments proposed by the government of Armenia will pave the way for the strengthening of democracy in Armenia," the British Embassy in Armenia said in a press release issued on behalf of the EU.
"However, the EU is concerned at reports of ballot stuffing and manipulation of the turnout figures and of intimidation of local observers during the referendum. A failure to prevent activities such as this call into question Armenia's commitment to transparency and democracy," the release reads.
"The EU urges the government of Armenia, and specifically the Central Election Commission, to take seriously the Council of Europe observers' recommendations of a thorough investigation into the allegations of fraud, and calls on the government of Armenia to ensure that those responsible are brought to account," it reads.
"The EU calls on all parties to ensure that any demonstrations continue to be peaceful in nature," the release reads.
The suggested amendments are aimed at reforming the government structure in Armenia and giving parliament a bigger say in the country's political life and economy.
tm la
Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.
INTERFAX
Dec 4 (Interfax) - The European Union has called on the Armenian authorities and opposition to ensure that those responsible for "ballot stuffing and manipulation of the turnout figures" in the country's November 27 constitutional referendum are found and brought to justice.
"The EU welcomes the government of Armenia's positive role in the
process of constitutional reform and believes that the package of amendments proposed by the government of Armenia will pave the way for the strengthening of democracy in Armenia," the British Embassy in Armenia said in a press release issued on behalf of the EU.
"However, the EU is concerned at reports of ballot stuffing and manipulation of the turnout figures and of intimidation of local observers during the referendum. A failure to prevent activities such as this call into question Armenia's commitment to transparency and democracy," the release reads.
"The EU urges the government of Armenia, and specifically the Central Election Commission, to take seriously the Council of Europe observers' recommendations of a thorough investigation into the allegations of fraud, and calls on the government of Armenia to ensure that those responsible are brought to account," it reads.
"The EU calls on all parties to ensure that any demonstrations continue to be peaceful in nature," the release reads.
The suggested amendments are aimed at reforming the government structure in Armenia and giving parliament a bigger say in the country's political life and economy.
tm la
Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.
posted by Vahe Balabanian at 6:08 AM
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