02.07.2008 - Source: Freedom House

May 2007 parliamentary vote was described by the OSCE as an improvement over previous polls, albeit with a number of shortcomings; opposition claimed fraud and widespread vote tampering ("Freedom in the World 2008") [ID 24544]

"Elections since the 1990s have been marred by serious irregularities, but the May 2007 parliamentary vote was described by the OSCE as an improvement over previous polls, albeit with a number of shortcomings. The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), which had led the previous government’s three-party coalition, took the largest portion of the vote. The OSCE’s final report noted that the RPA’s campaign overlapped with a longer-running defense ministry celebration of the Armenian army’s 15th anniversary, helping to blur the lines between the party and the state.
At the exhortation of the Council of Europe, the Armenian government adopted modifications to the election code in 2005 and 2006. The amended code provides for a more balanced composition of election commissions, yet concerns remain about the potential for fair administration of the election process. For example, the OSCE cited the abolition of the quorum for election commissions to make decisions as a potential concern. Another measure viewed as a step in the right direction is a new vote-tabulation process, involving direct online summarization of preliminary Precinct Election Commission results at the Territorial Election Commission level through a computer network connected to the Central Election Commission. The final report of the OSCE’s election observation mission assessed the 2007 National Assembly elections as “largely in accordance with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections.”
In the aftermath of the 2007 elections, the opposition claimed fraud, campaign finance violations, and widespread vote tampering. A number of street protests followed."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Strong bias in coverage of two presidential candidates, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsian and former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23121]

"During the 40-day preelection period leading up to the May 12 parliamentary elections, broadcast media outlets were more generous in the coverage they allocated to opposition politicians than in past years. Several were given the opportunity to speak about their programs and positions. Public television adhered to the legal requirement to provide two minutes of free airtime daily to each party registered to contest the election, and these broadcasts aired without editorial restrictions. Nevertheless, based on its media monitoring efforts, the OSCE reported that the enhanced coverage was devoid of critical comment by television media.
From October until mid-December, TEAM Research Center, with the support from the Armenian affiliate of the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation and the Yerevan Press Club, conducted monitoring of broadcast media in anticipation of February 2008 presidential elections. During the year two interim reports were published covering the months of October and November. The report revealed strong bias in coverage of two presidential candidates, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsian and former president Levon Ter-Petrosyan. More specifically, the prime minister, who received abundant coverage in his official capacity, received mostly positive and sometimes neutral coverage, while Ter-Petrosyan received predominantly negative, and on rare occasions, neutral coverage."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Elections demonstrated improvement, though shortcomings remained ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23139]

"The elections to the National Assembly were held May 12. The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) election observation mission stated that the elections demonstrated improvement, and were conducted largely in accordance with international standards, though shortcomings remained. While the authorities acted to address a number of previous shortcomings, other issues were not sufficiently addressed, notably those related to the procedural regulation of the conduct of the elections campaign, and performance of election commissions during the vote count and tabulation."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Final parliamentary election results were announced May 19 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23442]

"The final parliamentary election results were announced May 19 and were confirmed June 10 by the Constitutional Court, which rejected four complaints calling for annulment of the results. The court nevertheless noted a number of deficiencies in the conduct of the election campaign, specifically in the areas of campaigning and campaign and party financing, as well as the existence of conflicting legal provisions in the Election Code and other legislation. In the parliamentary election, the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) won 33 percent of the votes casts, followed by Prosperous Armenia (15 percent), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF) (13 percent), Rule of Law (7 percent), and the Heritage Party (6 percent). The RPA and Prosperous Armenia joined to form a governing coalition which secured an absolute majority of parliament seats. The ARF negotiated a cooperation agreement with the governing coalition in exchange for ministerial positions, but declined to join the coalition formally, instead reserving the right to support its own candidate for the February 2008 presidential election."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Despite multiple changes made to the election code, shortcomings remained ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23443]

"Despite multiple changes made to the election code, most recently on November 20, shortcomings remained. Provisions on early and indirect campaigning were unclear, and regulations on campaign finance were weak. The complaints and appeals process was inconsistent and ineffective. Sanctions against vote-buying were not implemented, and the government generally did not act upon publicly identified concerns in the absence of formal complaints.
The ODIHR election observation mission directly observed one episode of provision of goods by a political party that met the legal definition of prohibited conduct during the election campaign. On May 9, authorities arrested a person working for a single-mandate candidate in the territorial electoral commission in Hrazdan for vote buying.
Approximately one-third of polling stations that ODIHR election observers monitored did not follow the proper procedures in filling in the final vote count documents. At some stations, for example, respective Territorial Elections Committees were completing, correcting, or entirely rewriting poll results, thereby increasing potential for tampering with sensitive election documents.
The ODIHR also heard allegations that some voters were under pressure to vote for certain parties or candidates, for fear of consequences such as job dismissal. A candidate and incumbent deputy from the Syunik region confirmed that workers at a large enterprise he owned were obliged to vote for him, but he characterized this as consistent with contemporary global corporate management styles."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Incidents of election-related violence occurred ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23444]

"Incidents of election-related violence occurred. On May 28, Larisa Paremuzyan, a local head of the People's Party of Armenia, survived an arson attack on her apartment in the northern town of Alaverdi in the Shirak Region. Paremuzyan blamed the attack on Karen Saribekian from the ruling RPA, who defeated her in the May 12 parliamentary elections in a single-mandate contest. Prior to the arson attack, Paremuzyan had alleged serious irregularities during the vote."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Election precinct workers were found to have deliberately miscounted ballots ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23445]

"According to Transparency International (TI), the RPA and Prosperous Armenia parties, the two main victors of the May 12 parliamentary elections, spent considerably more on their election campaigns than is permitted by law.
Courts of first instance delivered verdicts on five criminal cases in which election precinct workers were found to have deliberately miscounted ballots or recorded fraudulent vote tallies during the parliamentary elections in May. The prosecutor general reported May 14 that a total of six criminal cases involving 15 defendants were transferred to the courts for trial: three persons were sentenced to imprisonment for one to two years; one person was fined $900 (300,000 drams); ten persons were given suspended sentences; and one case remained pending at year's end. Within these cases, all nine members of the precinct electoral commission (PEC) 15/16 of Getashen village were found guilty of falsifying election results and convicted by the first instance court of Armavir region. The court sentenced Commission Chairman Armen Eloyan to an 18-month prison term while suspending sentences for the other eight PEC members.
There was a widespread public perception, reflected in the press and the speeches of politicians, that a small elite of "oligarchs" exercised disproportionate influence on public affairs.
On June 22, a Yerevan court ordered prosecutors to investigate complaints filed by the Heritage Party in 2006 alleging harassment and improper eviction from its offices, and state authorities' illegal hacking of party computers. There were no results in the investigation at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

10.09.2007 - Source: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Report on the parliamentary elections (12 May 2007): Political background, legislative framework, media, participation of women ("Final Report on the 12 May 2007 Parliamentary Elections in Armenia") [ID 21528]

Document(s): Open document

03.09.2007 - Source: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

Parliamentary elections in Armenia and impact on the security situation in the Caucasus region ("Keine "Aprikosen-Revolution"") [ID 21529]

Document(s): Open document

20.06.2007 - Source: Council of Europe - Parliamentary Assembly

Observation of the parliamentary elections (political and legal context, election administration, candidate and voter registration, pre-election period, media and vote count on election day) ("Observation of the parliamentary elections in Armenia (12 May 2007) [Doc. 11312]") [ID 20586]

Document(s): Open document

11.06.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Opposition brands as ‘political’ verdict passed by Constitutional Court turning down election appeals from four political forces ("Opposition decries High Court verdict on election appeals") [ID 20594]

Document(s): Open document

04.06.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Constitutional Court continues hearings on appeals of several opposition groups against official results of parliamentary elections ("Constitutional Court Proceeds With Election Appeal Hearing") [ID 20587]

Document(s): Open document

01.06.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Constitutional Court begins hearings on appeals against official results of May's parliamentary elections; they have been filed by four opposition groups alleging large-scale fraud ("Constitutional Court Opens Election Appeal Hearings") [ID 20588]

Document(s): Open document

31.05.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Almost three weeks after the May 12 parliamentary elections from which Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian's Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) emerged the clear winner with 64 of the total 131 mandates, it remains unclear which other parties will be represented in the next government ("Talks On New Government Enter Third Week") [ID 20589]

Document(s): Open document

31.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Main winners of May's parliamentary elections, Republican Party and Prosperous Armenia Party, spent more on election campaigns than is allowed by law, affiliate of Transparency International says ("Election Winners Accused Of Breaching Campaign Spending Caps") [ID 20590]

Document(s): Open document

30.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Member of governing Republican Party downplays OSCE report that criticises "significant discrepancies" in May's parliamentary elections ("Speaker Downplays OSCE Vote Criticism") [ID 20591]

Document(s): Open document

25.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

OSCE releases fresh report that questions freedom and fairness of May 12 parliamentary elections ("OSCE Tones Down Armenian Election Praise") [ID 20592]

Document(s): Open document

24.05.2007 - Source: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Report on 12 May 2007 elections to National Assembly (election administration, post-election complaints and appeals) ("2007 Parliamentary Elections in Armenia: Post-Election Interim Report 1") [ID 20593]

Document(s): Open document

21.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Central Election Commission (CEC) has released final results of May 12 parliamentary elections that formalise landslide victory of Republican Party (HHK) of Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian ("Final Vote Results Uphold Sarkisian Landslide") [ID 20002]

Document(s): Open document

20.05.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Armenian parties loyal to President Robert Kocharian have won a large majority in the May 12 parliamentary elections, according to the first official results ("Armenian Pro-President Parties Win Parliament Vote") [ID 20000]

Document(s): Open document

17.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Opposition leader Karapetian says that his Nor Zhamanakner (New Times) Party will also ask Constitutional Court to annul official results of parliamentary elections ("Another Opposition Party To Appeal Election Results") [ID 19998]

Document(s): Open document

17.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Hundreds of people rally in small town for second consecutive day to protest against serious fraud which they say decided outcome of parliamentary elections held in their constituency ("Hundreds Protest ‘Rigged’ Vote In Armenian Town") [ID 19999]

Document(s): Open document

16.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Opposition leader Baghdasarian accuses authorities of rigging parliamentary elections and says his Orinats Yerkir Party will challenge official results in Constitutional Court ("Orinats Yerkir To Appeal Vote Results In Court") [ID 19997]

Document(s): Open document

16.05.2007 - Source: Central Asia-Caucasus Institute

The Republican Party of Armenia, chaired by Prime Minister Sarkisian, won parliamentary elections on 12 May 2007 with landslide victory; voter turnout of about 59.4 percent ("Republican party of Armenia tightens grip over parliament") [ID 21525]

Document(s): Open document

14.05.2007 - Source: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Report on the parliamentary elections (legal framework, election administration, complaints and appeals, campaign environment, media environment, participation of women, observers, election day and vote count) ("Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions on the 12 May 2007 Parliamentary Elections in Armenia") [ID 19994]

Document(s): Open document

14.05.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

President Robert Kocharian has promised a thorough investigation into allegations of fraud in the country's parliamentary elections ("Armenian President Vows To Probe Vote-Fraud Claims") [ID 19996]

Document(s): Open document

13.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Yerevan: Radical opposition forces rallied thousands of supporters, condemning what their leaders described as massive vote rigging in 12 May 2007 parliamentary elections ("Radical Opposition Rejects ‘Rigged’ Vote, Shows Restraint") [ID 19990]

Document(s): Open document

13.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Preliminary official results of 12 May 2007 parliamentary elections gave victory to governing Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) ("Armenian Republicans Declared Election Winners") [ID 19992]

Document(s): Open document

13.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

According to Western observers, 12 May 2007 parliamentary elections were largely democratic despite “bad” counting of ballots in considerable number of polling stations ("Armenian Elections ‘Largely Democratic,’ Say Western Observers") [ID 19993]

Document(s): Open document

12.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Parliamentary elections ended amid opposition allegations of massive vote buying by governing Republican Party (HHK) and pro-presidential Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) ("Polls Close Amid Opposition Allegations Of Vote Buying") [ID 19988]

Document(s): Open document

12.05.2007 - Source: BBC News

Parliamentary election seen as test of country's commitment to democracy ("Armenians to elect new assembly") [ID 19989]

Document(s): Open document

10.05.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Yerevan: Thousands of opposition supporters rally demanding the impeachment of President Kocharian and warning of fraud in parliamentary elections on 12 May 2007 ("Opposition Rally In Armenia Ahead Of Elections") [ID 19986]

Document(s): Open document

09.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Close associate of Artur Baghdasarian accused authorities of wire-tapping telephones of leaders of his opposition Orinats Yerkir Party ("Orinats Yerkir Alleges Government Surveillance") [ID 19984]

Document(s): Open document

09.05.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Turkey has criticized Armenia for refusing entry to Turkish members of a team of international election observers ("Turkey Criticizes Armenia For Barring Election Monitors") [ID 19985]

Document(s): Open document

08.05.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Leading opposition groups condemn arrest of one of 2 prominent government critics accused of being illegally financed by Russian businessman allegedly plotting regime change in country ("Armenian Opposition Condemns Ex-Minister’s Arrest") [ID 19982]

Document(s): Open document

07.05.2007 - Source: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Guidebook on political parties participating in the National Assembly elections 2007; information on activities, program goals and objectives of parties ("Political parties of the republic of Armenia participating in the national assembly elections 2007; Voters Guidebook") [ID 19981]

Document(s): Open document

03.05.2007 - Source: EurasiaNet

Opposition parties are complaining that pro-government parties and local government officials have created "an atmosphere of fear"; problems cited range from voter intimidation and vandalism of campaign posters to difficulties in finding space to hold meetings with supporters ("Opposition blasts governing party over alleged campaign irregluarities") [ID 19978]

Document(s): Open document

03.05.2007 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Two contrasting parties linked to governing elite dominate parliamentary elections: Republican Party, comprising main group in parliament, challenged by Prosperous Armenia Party of businessman Tsarukian linked to president ("Regime Parties Dominate Poll") [ID 19980]

Document(s): Open document

27.04.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Government formally asks OSCE to monitor approaching parliamentary elections, but questions organisation's impartiality ("Yerevan Admits Unease Over OSCE Election Mission") [ID 19975]

Document(s): Open document

27.04.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

President Kocharian warns opposition against protests challenging official results of next month’s parliamentary elections, saying that fresh attempts to unseat him would meet with tough government response ("Kocharian Warns Opposition Against Post-Election Protests") [ID 19976]

Document(s): Open document

27.04.2007 - Source: EurasiaNet

Opposition parties are complaining that high prices for television campaign ads and extensive coverage of pro-government political parties are skewing parliamentary campaign; media monitoring reports appear to support the contention that government and parties in power are dominating television election news coverage ("Opposition parties cry foul over television coverage") [ID 19977]

Document(s): Open document

23.04.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Businessman Gagik Tsarukian resumes participation in intensifying election campaign: Promises to turn Armenia into prosperous country free of opposition parties ("Tsarukian Promises ‘Prosperous Armenia Without Opposition’") [ID 19973]

Document(s): Open document

23.04.2007 - Source: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Bericht zu den Parlamentswahlen 2007 (Registrierung der Kandidaten, Wahladministration, Entwicklungen im Vorfeld der Wahlen und Medien) ("2007 Parliamentary Elections in Armenia: Interim Report 2") [ID 19974]

Document(s): Open document

19.04.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Violence, harassment, recriminations, and international concern over perceived voter apathy have marred the first 10 days of campaigning for Armenia's May 12 parliamentary elections ("Election Campaign Gets Off To Uneasy Start") [ID 19574]

Document(s): Open document

18.04.2007 - Source: Central Asia-Caucasus Institute

Analysis of coming parliamentary elections on 12 May 2007; opposition parties again unable to unite around common candidates and to develop effective campaign platforms ("Armenia gears up for parliamentary elections") [ID 21526]

Document(s): Open document

16.04.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Tensions continued to run high in electoral district south of Yerevan on Monday despite highly controversial disqualification of two main challengers of local government-backed candidate ("Tensions persist in Armenian constituency") [ID 19575]

Document(s): Open document

12.04.2007 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Campaigning for parliamentary election tarnished by violence, feuding between candidates, and an apparent attempt to oust one candidate ("Violent Start to Armenian Election Campaign") [ID 19576]

Document(s): Open document

12.04.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Yerevan: Two explosions ripped through the offices of the pro-presidential Prosperous Armenia party ("Blasts Hit Offices Of Armenian Pro-Presidential Party") [ID 19577]

Document(s): Open document

09.04.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

2 electoral candidates of the opposition accuse pro-government candidate, retired General Seyran Saroyan, of bullying: One candidate claims that unknown gunmen shot at his car; the other reports an arson attack on her campaign headquarters ("Retired General Accused Of Bullying Rival Candidates") [ID 19578]

Document(s): Open document

05.04.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

A series of developments have greatly upset the political scene prior to the country's looming May 12 parliamentary elections ("Prime Minister's Appointment Could Trigger Upheaval") [ID 19579]

Document(s): Open document

04.04.2007 - Source: EurasiaNet

Reports that pro-government political parties are allegedly seizing voter passports before upcoming parliamentary elections on 12 May; opposition parties charge that practice could seriously affect outcome of vote; ruling parties deny involvement ("Demands for voter passports spark election controversy") [ID 19580]

Document(s): Open document

03.04.2007 - Source: EurasiaNet

Drive-by shooting of a senior member of ruling Republican Party is heightening concern about upcoming parliamentary elections ("Attack on Mayor Raises Political Tensions") [ID 19581]

Document(s): Open document

02.04.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Political leaders restrict opposition access to electronic media; they fear losing power and resulting material benefits in upcoming parliamentary elections, U.S. diplomat suggests ("Armenian Leaders ‘Afraid Of Losing Power’") [ID 19582]

Document(s): Open document

02.04.2007 - Source: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

First OSCE/ODIHR interim report on 12 May 2007 parliamentary elections (political context, legal framework, electoral administration, nomination and registration of candidates, media) ("2007 Parliamentary Elections in Armenia: Interim Report 1") [ID 19583]

Document(s): Open document

29.03.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Second opposition party, "Liberal Progressive Party", announces decision to boycott upcoming parliamentary elections, saying they will not be free and fair; boycott follows similar decision made by other bigger opposition party earlier this month ("Another Opposition Party Opts For Election Boycott") [ID 19585]

Document(s): Open document

19.03.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

Yerevan police downplay first pre-election violence ("Yerevan police downplay first pre-election violence") [ID 19587]

Document(s): Open document

12.03.2007 - Source: Armenialiberty

The Prosperous Armenia Party accused of vote-buying by organising dinner parties for women across the country on the International Women's Day ("'Oligarchic' Party Again Accused Of Vote-Buying") [ID 19588]

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2007 - Source: EurasiaNet

Opposition divided ahead of 12 May 2007 parliamentary election ("Armenian Opposition Divided Ahead Of Election") [ID 19589]

Document(s): Open document