The U.S. resolutions recognizing the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic's independence contribute to the process of international recognition of the NKR, Karin MacDonald, U.S. observer, director of the Election Administration Research Center at Berkeley Law, said at a press conference in Yerevan on May 6.
She said that the transparent and competitive elections also contribute to recognition of Karabakh. She thinks that the May 3 parliamentary elections in Karabakh were transparent and competitive. The observer said that she happened to be present at the presidential elections in Karabakh in 2012 and she added that much has changed in the country. The authorities of Karabakh, the representatives of the Central Electoral Commission are open for discussions and they are ready to follow the international observers' recommendations aimed at improving the electoral processes, she said.
The U.S. mission monitored the course of the voting at 16 polling stations in 6 regions of Karabakh. The observers were present at the opening and closing of the polling stations. The entire process of elections was held in line with international standards. Karin MacDonald said that the mission witnessed the professionalism and high competence of the election officials.
By the official data of the NKR Central Electoral Commission, Free Motherland Party won the parliamentary elections with 47% of votes. 68,915 citizens participated in the voting. ARFD received 19.1%, Democratic Party - 18.8%, Movement-88 - 6.9%, and National Revival - 5.38%. Communist Party (1.5%) and Peace and Development Party (less than 1%) failed to overcome the 5% threshold.