Armenian National Congress asks for postponement of debates on new election code
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. Levon Zurabyan, the head of the parliamentary faction of the oppositional Armenian National Congress (HAK), has asked today fellow lawmakers to postpone debates on a new Electoral Code after government, parliamentary opposition parties and civil society representatives failed earlier to reach an agreement on new election law.
According to Zurabyan, the planned debates on the new election law, drafted by the government and the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), are important in terms of shaping a public confidence in the electoral processes.
He said the talks between government, parliamentary opposition parties and civil society representatives failed to produce consensus as the authorities effectively rejected all the concrete changes demanded by the opposition and civic groups.
The most important of these demands is the publication of the names of those voters who went to the polls and cast ballots, which the opposition and civic groups believes will preclude multiple voting by government loyalists. However, the demand was rejected by the ruling party on grounds that it would breach the secrecy of ballots.
According to Zurabyan, HAK considers it inappropriate to hold debates on the draft code in this situation and proposes that they be postponed until 'a certain consensus is achieved.' He said the Armenian National Congress suspends its participation in the debates.
Deputy parliament chairman Eduard Sharmazanov from the ruling party said although no consensus was achieved, they favor reciprocal, not unilateral concessions. He noted that all constructive proposals that will be presented between the first and second readings of the bill can be discussed and adopted. -0-
According to Zurabyan, the planned debates on the new election law, drafted by the government and the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), are important in terms of shaping a public confidence in the electoral processes.
He said the talks between government, parliamentary opposition parties and civil society representatives failed to produce consensus as the authorities effectively rejected all the concrete changes demanded by the opposition and civic groups.
The most important of these demands is the publication of the names of those voters who went to the polls and cast ballots, which the opposition and civic groups believes will preclude multiple voting by government loyalists. However, the demand was rejected by the ruling party on grounds that it would breach the secrecy of ballots.
According to Zurabyan, HAK considers it inappropriate to hold debates on the draft code in this situation and proposes that they be postponed until 'a certain consensus is achieved.' He said the Armenian National Congress suspends its participation in the debates.
Deputy parliament chairman Eduard Sharmazanov from the ruling party said although no consensus was achieved, they favor reciprocal, not unilateral concessions. He noted that all constructive proposals that will be presented between the first and second readings of the bill can be discussed and adopted. -0-