News

Democracy Contested: Armenia’s fifth presidential elections, OpenDemocracy (2008)

A disputed election followed by mass protest has created a political crisis in another post-Soviet state. But the arrival of new technologies and a younger generation signal a new chapter rather than a rerun, says Armine Ishkanian.

CIS observers: Technical violations, Panorama.am (2008)

This short article reflects CIS observers' views on Armenian Presidental Elections.

Armenian presidential election mostly in line with international commitments, but further improvements necessary, OSCE ODIHR (2008)

This Press Release informs you about preliminary findings of the OSCE ODIHR Election Observation Mission to Armenia.

ODIHR deploys election observation mission to Armenia, OSCE (2008)

The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) opened an election observation mission today for the presidential election in Armenia on 19 February. This press release tells you more about the objectives of the mission.

Will be observing, 168 Hours (2007)

This short article lists the NGO's accredited so far to observe forthcoming presidental elections in Armenia.

Armenian president: Elections to pass in a trusting environment, Panorama.am (2007)

 

The reduction of OSCE Observers will not affect the results of presidental elections of Armenia, Panorama.am (2007)

 

Armenia, Pro-government candidates won elections, A1+ (2008)

On 7 September 2008 local government elections were held in 4 constituencies of Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. The candidates supported by governmental party are winners. The elections were supported with violence.

Armenian presidential election mostly in line with international commitments, but further improvements necessary, OSCE (2008)

This press release informs you about preliminary findings of the OSCE ODIHR Election Observation Mission to Armenia.

Tigran Torosyan elected as Armenian parliamentary speaker

Article form REGNUM New Agency

Armenia: Nikol Pashinyan’s Candidacy in January 10 Elections Announced, 2009

Opposition activist and Haykakan Zhamanak (“Armenian Times”) chief editor Nikol Pashinyan was nominated as a candidate in the N10 electoral district to participate in the supplemental elections to the National Assembly. in that district.

Armenia: CEC broke the law, 2009

The candidate at constituency NO. 10 Hmayak Hovhanisyan running for National Assembly election stated on December 1 that the Central Electoral Commission committed an illegality deciding the date of the election on January 10.

Detained Armenian Oppositionist Registered As By-Election Candidate, RFERL (2009)

The article reports that local electoral commission has registered detained opposition candidate Nikol Pashinian as a candidate in a January 10 by-election in Yerevan. Pashinian is currently on trial on charges stemming from his alleged participation in the violent clashes in Yerevan in March 2008 in the wake of the disputed presidential election.

Armenia: By-election campaign starts in Yerevan, Armenian Reporter (2009)

The article writes about the start of a by-election campaign to fill a vacancy in Armenia's National Assembly created by the resignation of opposition politician Khachatur Sukiasian, who represented Yerevan's central district. An opposition candidate Nikol Pashinian is campaigning from jail, in pretrial detention in connection with his role in the bloody confrontations between law enforcement forces and demonstrators on March 1, 2008. He issued a statement on December 8 arguing that he should be released under a provision of the electoral code that prohibits the arrest and prosecution of candidates for office without the permission of the Central Electoral Commission.

Armenian Opposition Politician Calls For Renewed Protests, RFE/RL (2009)

The article reports that a popular Armenian opposition leader stressed that resignation of the incumbent president and holding of new elections remain on top of the opposition agenda. He also mentioned that his party has no intention to leave the opposition alliance, Armenian National Congress.

Reporters Face Obstacles in Covering Armenia’s Tense By-Election, RFE/RL (2010)

On 10 January, 2010 parliamentary by-elections were held in the Central district of Yerevan, Armenia. Three candidates ran for elections, including Nikol Pashinian, an opposition member and newspaper editor currently in jail while his trial on charges related to the 2008 post-election clashes is continuing. Representatives of several media met with obstacles while performing their professional duties at some polling stations as they were covering the vote in the tense by-election.

Nikol Pashinian lost by-elections to Armenian Parliament, Aysor (2010)

On January 10, 2010 parliamentary by-elections were held in the central district of Yerevan, Armenia. Less than 25% of turnout was reported. According to the preliminary results, the main opposition candidate Nikol Pashinian lost to the representative of National Unity party.

Armenia Opposition Bloc 'Satisfied' With Election Performance, RFE/RL (2010)

The article reports that after January 10 parliamentary by-elections in Yerevan, main opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) has said it is satisfied with its performance despite candidate Nikol Pashinian's defeat in a vote it claims was marred by reports of fraud and violence. According to official results, the opposition candidate received 37.5% and the main pro-governmental candidates received 57% of votes. Opposition is going to challenge election results in the court.

Armenia: Prison term for opposition activist revives democratisation debate, EurasiaNet (2010)

The article writes that seven-year prison sentence was handed down to opposition activist and journalist Nikol Pashinian on January 19 for his alleged role in Armenia’s violent 2008 election protests. Pashinian, editor-in-chief of the opposition daily Haykakan Zhamanak, led crowds of young protestors through central Yerevan during demonstrations against the 2008 presidential election that brought President Serzh Sargsyan to power. The newspaper editor, wanted for allegedly helping to organize clashes between police and protestors that resulted in at least 10 deaths, emerged from hiding in July 2009 after the announcement of a presidential amnesty for individuals detained after the violence.

Armenia: Opposition leaders expect early elections, EurasiaNet (2010)

The article writes that with the second anniversary of Armenia’s deadly March 1, 2008 presidential election clashes approaching, former president Levon Ter-Petrosian, who did not come to terms with his defeat at the polls two years ago, is reportedly preparing for demonstrations and early elections.

Armenian Opposition Leader Says Government Will Fall, RFE/RL (2010)

The article writes about the March 1, 2010 demonstration in Armenia, on the 2nd anniversary of the tragic killing of 10 citizens during the peaceful demonstration after 2008 presidential elections. Armenian opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian has harshly criticized the country's leadership and told that incumbent Sarkisian's regime will resign and hold fresh elections.

Council Of Europe Wants Armenian Election Reforms By 2011, RFE/RL (2010)

The article reports that Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has agreed to give Armenia time until the end of the year to reform its electoral system. Next parliamentary elections in Armenia are scheduled in 2012.

Armenia: ex-president Kocharian preparing for a return to Yerevan politics?, EurasiaNet, (2010)

The article writes about increasing visibility of ex-Armenian president Robert Kocharian. He is voicing criticism of the current government’s economic policies. His statements, taken together with recent visits abroad, are stirring speculation that the 56-year-old politician is planning a return to Armenian politics.

Police Chief Says Kyrgyz Scenario 'Impossible In Armenia', RFE/RL (2010)

Teh article reports about the press conference of Armenia's police chief on 16 April, when the latter warned the country's opposition leaders against staging the kind of revolt that brought down the government in Kyrgyzstan.

Armenian Court Upholds Journalist's Jail Term, RFE/RL (2010)

Armenia's highest criminal court has upheld a prison sentence for a newspaper editor and opposition leader for his alleged role in 2008 postelection violence in Yerevan. The Court of Cassation rejected appeals against two lower-court rulings on the case that were filed by both Nikol Pashinian and state prosecutors. Defense lawyers condemned the latest court decision as politically motivated and reaffirmed their plans to take Pashinian's case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Armenian Opposition Holds Rally In Second-Largest City, RFE/RL (2010)

The article reports that thousands of activists from Armenia's main opposition alliance held a public rally in the country's second-largest city, Gyumri, during which they denounced the policies of the current government and called for snap elections

Armenian Opposition Activists Go On Trial, RFE/RL (2010)

The article writes about trial process of young opposition activists, who are being charged for "hooliganism" and for "shoving" a police officer during opposition demonstration in May 2010. Attorneys of the activists claim there is no evidence for accusations and that the charges are fablicated.

Opposition Parties Reject Government Reform Plan, Azatutyun.am (2010)

The article reports that the two opposition parties represented in Armenia’s parliament rejected as “cosmetic” electoral reforms which its pro-government majority has offered to implement in response to pressure from the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE). Instead, the opposition parties have come up with an alternative reform plan which they believe would tackle chronic vote rigging in the country in earnest.

Armenian opposition tells election experts it's dissatisfied with reforms, Radio Free Europe (2010)

This article reports on the response of the opposition parties in Armenia to the new electoral reform. Representatives from the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe and the OSCE consulted the opposition regarding the draft reform presented by the government. The opposition is not satisfied with the reform, and believe that this new law would still leave room for vote-rigging and fraud.

Armenia: Yerevan Prepares for Fresh Mayoral Elections, EurasiaNet (2010)

The article reports that a special December 13 session of the Yerevan City Council voted to hold elections for a new mayor on the morning of December 17. The previous resigned from office on December 8 following a scandal, in which the mayor was alleged to have accosted and severely beaten a presidential administration employee.

Armenian Opposition Bloc To Resume Protest Rallies, RFE/Rl (2011)

The article informs that opposition Armenian National Congress and the owner of ALM TV channel (which was shut down recently) are planning to restart protest rallies in Yerevan in the second half February.

Armenian Opposition Leader Insists On Early Polls, Warns Of 'Egypt-Like' Unrest, RFE/RL (2011)

The article reports about February 18 rally of the oppositionary Armenian National Congress (ANC), where the opposition leader warned Armenian authorities to hold fresh elections or face unrests like in Arab states. ANC also announced that a more powerful rally will be held on March 1.

Ter-Petrosian Sets New Deadline For Armenian Leadership, RFE/RL (2011)

The article reports about an opposition demonstration in Yerevan, Armenia, on April , where the opposition leader Ter-Petrosian has set a new deadline for the government to fulfill their demands.

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Armenia: Government, Opposition Hold “Open” Dialogue Behind Closed Doors, EurasiaNet (2011)

The article reports about the internal political developments in Armenia, mainly connected with the talks between the government and the main opposition block. While the talks are called "open", they are being held behind closed doors and without informing the public. Meanwhile, ordinary population feel deceived and alienated from the processes.

Armenian Election Law Again Amended, Azatutyun (2011)

The article reports about recent amendments of Armenia's electoral law. The parliament's pro-government majority says the amendments will facilitate the proper conduct of the next Armenian elections, while the opposition believes that lack of political will is the major concern with regard to the country's electoral processes.

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Armenian Opposition 'Open' To Concessions To Government, RFERL (2011)

The article report that leading Armenian National Congress (HAK) opposition alliance is ready, in principle, for mutual concessions in its upcoming negotiations with President Serzh Sarkisian's government.

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Armenian opposition leader demands safeguards for fair elections, RFE/RL (2011)

The news article informs that Raffi Hovannisian, an Armenian opposition leader, addressed President Serzh Sarkisian with an appeal to substantiate his commitment to holding democratic elections by introducing a number of radical changes to the electoral process. In his letter the leader of the Heritage Party listed 15 such measures which included ceasing the use of government funds and properties by the ruling party and eliminating pressure on public-sector employees and civil servants and a number of other issues. As of now, the Presidential administration has not responded to the demands of the opposition forces.

Armenian president reshuffles government ahead of elections, EurasiaNet (2011)

The news article discusses the recent wave of dismissals and resignations of high-rank governmental officials in Armenia. It is argued that these political reshuffles were intended to further limit the support for the president's opponent Robert Kocharian within the government prior to the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2012.

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Prior to parliamentary elections in Armenia OSCE Office launches guide for voters on political parties, OSCE (2012)

An OSCE-supported guidebook summarizing the platforms, activities and goals of political parties running for 6 May parliamentary elections in Armenia was presented in Yerevan, Armenia.

ICES experts to monitor Armenian parliamentary elections, panarmenian (2012)

The Central Election Commission of Armenia accredited the observer mission of International expert Center for Electoral Systems (ICES) with 20 independent experts from EU member-countries, the U.S. and Israel to observe forthcoming parliamentary elections on May 6, 2012.

160 CIS observers to monitor Armenian elections , panarmenian (2012)

CIS observing mission continues monitoring of the election campaign ahead of the elections to the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. the Mission Headquarters leadership held meetings in the Armenian government, as well as with OSCE/ODIHR mission head to discuss the current election campaign.

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OSCE Reaffirms Armenian Election Verdict, ArmeniaNow.com (2012)

OSCE reaffirmed their report on Armenian Parliamentary Elections underlining positive and negative features of the conduct of elections.