Yerevan /Mediamax/. Head of Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe Delegation Liisa Ansala said the improvement of the quality of voters’ lists in Armenia is of "crucial importance”.

On September 18 the delegation observed local election in Aragatsotn, Armavir, Ararat and Tavush marzes, where, in total, seven teams observed the vote in 100 polling stations.

“Overall, the Congress’ delegation found that the elections were well organized with the exception of a few incidents and instances of crowdedness in certain polling stations. Overall, more political competition between candidates was noticed in larger communities, whereas in many smaller localities often only one candidate remained in the list of mayoral candidates.

In addition to individual features of the electoral process which need to be addressed by the authorities for future elections, notably the grey zone in respect of the so-called "assisted voting" for elderly and voters with disabilities, the Congress’ delegation noticed overall a high number of voters on voters’ lists who reside de facto abroad, a situation bearing the risk of electoral fraud and therefore constituting a constant concern for electoral observers.

The new Electoral Code of Armenia and provisions to address, in particular, the prevention of electoral fraud due to multiple voting, has been under discussion between the Government, the opposition, civil society and the Council of Europe Venice Commission over the last months.

The local by-elections held on 18 September were still governed by the existing 2011 Electoral Code and did therefore not allow the Congress’ observers to assess the effectiveness of measures foreseen to increase the transparency of the electoral process.

For Congress’ Head of Delegation Liisa Ansala the improvement of the quality of voters’ lists in Armenia is of crucial importance for the trust of citizens in the system”, Delegation’s statement says.

“Transparency - together with more competition between candidates - is needed to increase the interest of the population in local elections which are currently mainly seen as a formality by the citizens. We will see in how far the new Electoral Code, introducing the proportional electoral system, and the decentralization reform, which is currently being implemented, will be able to change the situation to the better”, Liisa Ansala said.

The detailed Information Report following the Electoral Assessment Mission will be debated in the frame of the 31st Congress Session on 19-21 October in Strasbourg.