The major international observers of the Armenian parliamentary elections have given positive reports on the conduct of the democratic process.

In a joint press conference this afternoon, Kari Henriksen, Head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) delegation, said that despite the pandemic, the 20 June 2021 elections “were competitive and generally well managed with a short time frame”. That said, she noted that the elections were “characterised by intense polarisation and marred by increasingly inflammatory rhetoric among key contestants.” She noted that the legal framework was generally comprehensive, but said that the fact amendments were adopted close to election made some things less clear.

She criticised the sidelining of women in the process and the lack of accessibility at polling stations for those with disabilities. 

Georgios Katrougalos, Head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) delegation, said that there was a respect of democratic and constitutional order in a polarised political climate. He added that the elections should considered as “given” and that “whoever does not win at this election has a chance at the next elections.”

Eoghan Murphy, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission stated that “at no time were [they] obstructed from doing [their] observation work by any of the state or local authorities”. Giving ODIHR’s assessment, he said they had observed that “candidates could campaign freely throughout the election process, fundamental rights and freedoms were generally respected and voters were provided with a broad range of options leading to a competitive election”. Like Henriksen, he expressed some concern that the late adoption of amnendments to legal code did create some legal uncertainty as well as expressing concern for the sidelining of women. 

In response to questions from journalists on electoral violations, the mission official said that they first need to see the substance of these complaints and correspond with the relevant state authorities, who have the right to take action based on these violations. With regards to breaches of secrecy of the ballots, the panel said they observed it in one instance, but did not intervene. In general, they said that the overall electoral institutions have worked.

The final report on the elections by the joint OSCE-ODIHR, OSCE PA and PACE will be ready in a few months’ time. 

An immediate Statement of preliminary findings and conclusions is available here.