Thursday, October 20 2016 11:38

ArmInfo.Parliament of Armenia passed alterations and amendments to the Election Code with 102 votes  "for," 4 votes "against" and 4 "abstentions," Thursday, on October 20.

Minister, Head of Government Administration David Harutyunyan, who  was presenting the document, said the bill was certainly corrected  after the first reading, in particular, the punishment for deliberate  false evidence on election rigging facts has been softened after the  government and the parliamentary opposition achieved an agreement on  it.  Haroutiunyan specified that deliberate false evidence is  punished with 2-5 years of imprisonment, while false evidence by  negligence is punished with up to 2 year of imprisonment or a fine in  the amount of 200 minimal salaries. 

He noted that the main amendment relates to scanning electoral lists  signed by the voted citizens and their publication on the website of  Central Electoral Commission. This is done to control the process of  citizens' participation in the voting and not to allow double voting  or voting by false documents.  Harutyunyan noted that this amendment  contradicts to the norms of Venice Commission, however the  authorities have agreed to this step in order to restore citizens'  confidence towards electoral processes. 

The second important amendment made in the document relates to  installment of video cameras in the polling stations for controlling  the electoral process. Broadcasting will be online and video  materials will be archived. Special commission comprised of  representatives from the authorities, political forces and civil  society will purchase the equipment. 

15 mln EUR is needed for purchasing video equipment, the Armenian  government agreed to allocate 3 mln, while donor organizations  promised to provide the remaining funds. Harutyunyan informed that as  for now only the Armenian government has fulfilled its financial  obligation.