Akanates Observation Mission December 9, 2018 Snap Parliamentary Elections

Preliminary Statement on the Conduct of December 9, 2018 Elections

The Akanates (Eyewitness) domestic, non-partisan observation initiative was founded in 2018 by Transparency International Anticorruption Center, Journalists’ Club “Asparez” and “Restart” Civic Initiative. The partner of the mission is the Law Development and Protection Foundation.

Election day preparation and the voting process were generally conducted in line with the law. 63 serious violations reported.

December 9 is International Anti-Corruption Day, and it is symbolic that on this date, over the course of a long period, this is the first time that the Armenian people have the opportunity to freely express their will and to choose a representative parliament. 

At this moment we can conclude that the Election day preparation and the voting process took place in a peaceful environment and Armenian citizens were fully able to exercise their right to vote.

Akanates’ observers continue to monitor the conduct of voting processes in 300 sampled polling stations in every district of Armenia. Instead of reporting for every single minor incident, Akanates is now reporting on critical violations, incidents which might have serious impact on the electoral process. In total, Akanates received 23 reports on critical incidents from 22 polling stations concerning the voting process.

December 9 is the international day of the fight against corruption, and it is symbolic that on this day, after a long period, this is the first time that Armenian citizens have the opportunity to freely express their will to choose a representative parliament.