Requirements for Observer Missions Strengthened at the Initiative of the Ruling Party

The National Assembly has convened an extraordinary session, with the agenda comprising a single issue: a draft law amending the Electoral Code. The draft proposes that ruling party lawmakers tighten the requirements for observer missions, particularly concerning political neutrality and disclosure of financial sources.

Presented by ruling party MP Arusyack Julhakyan, the bill notes that current regulations do not clearly define the mechanisms to be applied in cases of violation of the demand for political restraint. According to her, the initiative aims to clarify the existing rules and expand the available mechanisms.

Julhakyan emphasized that observer missions participate in electoral processes as entities carrying out public oversight, and their mission is to provide an independent, objective, and impartial assessment of elections. She stated that the realization of this goal is possible only under conditions of politically neutral and unbiased operations.

The MP pointed out that the existing Electoral Code does not establish sufficient legal mechanisms for monitoring and ensuring the obligations of political neutrality and impartiality for observer missions and observers, and the legislative initiative is aimed at addressing this gap.

The opposition “Armenia” faction has characterized the draft as anti-democratic and boycotted the discussion. MP Artavazd Minasyan from the faction stated that the bill was authored and presented urgently without widespread discussions. He described it as a “draft for the formation of pro-government observer missions.”

Minasyan noted that the initiative could allow for the revocation of accreditation for individuals whose assessments or statements are presented as political counter-campaigning.

The draft is being discussed in a 24-hour mode and has been accepted in the first reading. After the vote, another session is planned to be held for the second reading discussion.