On May 5, 2013 the "Citizen Observer" Initiative monitored the Yerevan City Council Elections in 113 precincts within 4 electoral districts (districts 7,8,12,13) in Yerevans Malatia-Sebastia, Erebuni, Shengavit, Nubarashen and Ajapnyak communities.

Within the electoral precincts observed by the Initiative, the elections were held in a tense atmosphere, evidenced by 570 alerts received which reported various types of violations. The majority of the alerts involved the presence of unauthorized people, assembly in large groups inside the polling stations, busing of voters by public and private transport, congregation of large groups outside the precincts, the Precinct Election Commissions mistakes, illegal campaigning conducted by unauthorized people, and directing the voters both in the precincts and in their vicinities.

The observers and mass media representatives frequently encountered violations of their rights, impediment of their work, insults, threats and intimidation. Gadgets of mass media representatives were twice stolen. The secrecy of the vote was compromised by "helpers" who accompanied people who needed assistance into the voting booth, reaching up to 70 in some precincts. In a number of cases voters were controlled through "carousel" voting, the use of colored pens, and by being asked to take photos of their ballot papers. The stamps on the passports this time as well proved to be easily removable ahead of time and the names of absent people were illegally used through multiple voting.

Several proxies from the same party (mainly from the Republican Party of Armenia) were constantly "hanging around" the polling stations as were many district thugs. Active participation of the latter in electoral violations was organized by a parliamentarian elected from that electoral district, as evidenced by MP Samvel Alexanyans personal appearance in the electoral precincts in order to "settle questions."

In some observed precincts voting was more peaceful and organized, mainly conditioned by the conscientious work of the chairperson, the members of the given precinct, and active overseeing by representatives of political parties. Nevertheless, even outside those precincts, people were assembled in groups and cases of influencing the vote were observed - impeding the voters free will.

The Commission Chairpersons as a general rule refused to register the election violations mentioned by the observers and mass media representatives in the journal of records.

On behalf of the non governmental organizations comprising "Citizen Observer" Initiative nearly 80 applications were filed to # 7, 8, 12, 13 District Electoral Commissions within the time prescribed by law (18:00 of the day after election day). Due to the impossibility of summarizing large numbers of election violations within the prescribed time, applications continued to be filed to relevant District Election Commissions after the prescribed time - the number of violations has now reached upwards of 160.

The process of Yerevan City Council Elections generally showed that the ruling party used its administrative resources and district thugs to ensure desirable result.

The final report of "Citizen Observer" Initiative will be published later.

The "Citizen Observer" Initiative was created by "Transparency International Anti-corruption Center," "Europe in Law Association," ""Asparez" Journalists Club," "Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor Office," non governmental organizations joined by scores of Diaspora Armenians and civic activists.

See also "An observed election" video about the Initiative activity on "Civilnet."