“Hayots Ashkhar” says campaign trips and speeches by various election contenders will have a limited impact on voters’ political preferences. It takes “longer and more patient work” to win the hearts and minds of most Armenians. “As for the rest of the electorate, it is either bribed, preferring 5,000 drams to 5,000 promises, or does not take part in the elections at all,” writes the paper.

Election is serious exam for Armenia
13.04.2007 18:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “In the course of three days the PACE observation mission met with all political parties and blocs, Constitutional Court members, representatives of NGOs and media as well as with President Robert Kocharian and Acting Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian,” Leo Platvoet, head of the PACE observation mission, told a news conference in Yerevan today. The election will be a serious examination for Armenia on the way towards integration into European structures. “We are hopeful the parliamentary election will be free and democratic and meet international standards. The responsibility lies not only on the Armenian leadership but also on the public. Those interested in democracy development should hold the election in accord with international standards. Unfortunately, the public’s interest towards the election has not been shaped yet; political programs of the parties do not differ much from one another,” Mr Platvoet said adding that indifference and non-participation in elections hamper development of democracy.

The Dutch parliamentarian reminded that the previous parliamentary election was marred and voiced assurance that the reviewed Electoral Code will help to hold the forthcoming election in a proper way, especially since conduction of fair elections is one of the commitments Armenia has undertaken to the Council of Europe.