By this statement we, the below mentioned civil society organizations, having participated in 4+4+4 format discussions, inform about our refusal to be included in the Joint Commission comprised of RA National Assembly’s opposition, pro-government factions and civil society representatives. The procedure of the Commission’s formation and activity was approved by RA Government’s Decree N1158-N of November 10 2016, aimed at organizing video recording and live broadcasting of the electoral process in the polling stations, auditing ID card and passport data database and monitoring the introduction process of voter registration system by electronic devices.

Stressing the importance of public oversight in all stages of the electoral processes, we nevertheless, refrain from being included in the Commission, since for us - NGOs that carry out election observation mission, it is not the operation of this structure with ineffective authority that makes a difference, but the unprecedented restrictions of the rights of election observation missions and mass media representatives stipulated by RA Electoral Code, that raise doubts about the fairness and integrity of elections and the willingness of the authorities to conduct elections in compliance with these standards.

The non-inclusive nature of government’s decision-making on defining the functions, activity and authority of the mentioned three-party Commission, as well as the conditions defined by the decree that are imposed on civil society and its certain representatives are of concern, likewise.

Numerous discussions of civil society organizations and as a result of them suggestions on banning the restrictions of observers and mass media representatives’ rights failed to be included on the government agenda, and some positive changes that were possible to register by the latest amendments to the Electoral Code of Armenia were shadowed and neutralized by apparently disproportionate restrictions and the institutes of the introduced responsibility that were not largely discussed either.

Taking into account the above mentioned, we consider our inclusion in the Commission unsuitable. Meanwhile, we will focus on the Commission work expecting transparent and public activity.

“Transparency International Anticorruption Center” NGO
“Journalists’ Club “Asparez”” NGO
“Europe in Law Association” NGO
"Rule of Right" NGO
“Union of Informed Citizens” NGO
“Collaboration for Democracy” NGO