Four Reports Prepared on Violations During Local Elections in Shirak

During the local elections held on October 17 in the city of Gyumri, Shirak Province, there have been a total of 20 reports or alerts regarding apparent electoral or related criminal activities, of which 2 were received before the voting started.

Out of the 20 alerts, 14 were identified through constant monitoring by the Armenian Prosecutor's Office or the Police based on media publications, 4 were reports from individuals, while 1 was a post made by a user on social media. Among the received reports and alerts, 10 relate to obstructing the exercise of electoral rights, 2 to violating the secrecy of voting, 2 to offering or accepting bribes or mediating electoral bribery, 1 to voting on behalf of another person, 1 to violating the procedure for compiling voter lists, 1 to forcing or obstructing participation in campaigning, and 1 to obstructing a journalist’s professional activities; 2 relate to other issues.

Regarding the 15 reports of alleged electoral violations which are of an abstract and general nature, the regional divisions of the Armenian Police have been instructed to carry out the necessary verification actions. As a result of 2 investigations, the circumstances presented have not been corroborated and have been left without consequences, while the verification actions continue for the remaining 13. Meanwhile, 4 reports have been sent to the investigation or preliminary investigation bodies with the instruction to prepare materials in accordance with Articles 180-181 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia, which are currently underway.