3500-4000 observes to monitor parliamentary elections

3500-4000 observers will monitor in the forthcoming parliamentary elections scheduled on April 2. Armen Grigoryan, coordinator of “Citizen Observer” initiative told 168.am that around 2300 citizens have registered as observers.

“Soon that number will increase, as we’ll mobilize 3000 observers from Armenia and 400-500 from the Diaspora, we also have 150 Armenians from Georgia, who will participate in electoral processes. I consider, we’ll be able to provide that number,” A.Grigoryan said.

Regarding what result it’ll provide, A.Grigoryan stated one of the most important results is that number of violation in the polling stations is being decreased,

“Our experience shows that vote of the authorities is decreasing, as the process is being controlled and fraud is being decreased.”

Observers have no influence beyond the polling stations, meanwhile Grigoryan considers most violations come from the very polling stations. The expert stated if polling stations aren’t controlled, violations will be backed to the polling stations.

Replying to the question whether voters may take the bribe and vote by their will, as political figures from both the opposition and the authorities propose such solution to the voters, A.Grigoryan said,

“The civil society, the opposition have a big job to do, to convince the public not to take money, but to vote based on their mind and conscience. It’s an issue, which hasn’t been solved yet. The media, political parties, the civil society should work, convince the public and show the way, that it isn’t correct and if we want to build a normal country, we should all bear responsibility on individual level and vote relying on our mind and consciousness.

That variant is also possible, however, I consider just taking makes the citizen a participant to criminal operation and everything is being distorted.”

By Gayane Khachatryan