Several US Congress members have unveiled their intention to send representatives to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to observe the March 31 presidential and parliamentary elections in the country in response to an invitation by the Artsakh authorities.
Speaking to Voice of America’s Armenian service, Congresswoman Jackie Kanchelian-Speier said they are interested in the conduct of free and fair elections in Artsakh.
Azerbaijan, which does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh, brands all the electoral processes in the country as a "political show in occupied territories."
Jackie Kanchelian-Speier, who is of Armenian descent, is convinced that life in Artsakh will proceed as normal despite Azerbaijan’s position. She also highlighted the continuity of the ongoing democratization process in the country.
Congressman Frank Pallone’s senior legislative assistant James Johnson will be among the congressional staff members to observe the elections.
The legislator hailed all the previous ‘free, fair and transparent’ elections in Artsakh and expressed hope that they will be free this time as well.
Congressman Frank Pallone stressed the need for raising global awareness about the established democracy in Artsakh.
Despite a group of congressmen’s decision, the US Department of State has never recognized the elections in Karabakh.