Armenian National Congress to catch election riggers `red-handed’

Armenian National Congress to catch election riggers `red-handed’

tert.am
18:38 – 16.10.12

Since election process is like `playing poker with cardsharpers’ now,
the Armenian National Congress (ANC) parliamentary group has proposed
a means of catching election riggers `red-handed.’

At his meeting with journalists on Tuesday, Levon Zurabyan, an ANC
group member, noted that the group has submitted draft amendments to
Armenia’s election law to parliament.

`Most people are disappointed by lawlessness and rigged elections.
Therefore, the election system needs comprehensive reforms, which, in
turn, will reform people’s confidence in elections,’ Zurabyan said.

The draft amendments envisage a switchover to proportional
representation (PR) and video recording of the entire voting process.

According to the draft, voters are to dip a finger in invisible ink,
the lists of voters must be separated from the population register and
the number of ballot papers is to be unlimited.

`There must be no control over ballot papers. On the other hand,
strict control over envelopes is expected. This measure is supposed to
put an end to what is known as `carousel’,’ Zurabyan said.

If the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) does not want to
`disgrace itself’ once more in the international community’s eyes, it
should be the first to vote for the draft, Zurabyan said.

`If they reject the draft, it means they do not want fair elections,’ he added.