News

Congress adopts report on Yerevan elections and recommends strengthening of voting rights at local level  [31/10/2013]

Following its mission to observe the election of the members of the Avagani (Assembly of Aldermen), of the city of Yerevan, Armenia, on 5 May 2013, the Congress today adopted a recommendation and resolution on this subject, at its 25th Session. Congress Rapporteur and Head of delegation, Stewart Dickson (United Kingdom, R, ILDG) welcomed the fact that the new Electoral Code of Armenia had contributed to the calm and technically well-prepared vote. He noted however that issues such as the practice of filming in each polling station during the voting and the extensive amount of domestic observers present, as well as the widespread use of mobile phones, remained problematic. He singled out the issue of voter registration as a potential area for improvement, calling on the Armenian authorities to make the main place of permanent residence - in addition to registration � a condition for voting rights at local level. Concluding his report, he said: �In line with our colleagues from the Venice Commission � we in the Congress are convinced that the legislative framework of Armenia has the potential to ensure genuinely democratic elections. But legislation alone is not enough. We therefore encourage the Armenian authorities to fully and properly implement all applicable provisions, and thus engage citizens in their democratic right to vote�. Speaking during the debate, EU Committee of the Regions member Doreen Huddart, who also participated in the observation mission, also highlighted the relative lack of facilities for disabled voters, adding that �Much more could be done to assist housebound or disabled voters to exercise their democratic rights.� 

Speech
Report
Interview Mediabox S. Dickson (YouTube video)  

Le Congr�s adopte un rapport sur les �lections d�Erevan et recommande de renforcer le droit de vote au niveau local  [31/10/2013]

A la suite de sa mission visant � observer l��lection des membres de l�Avagani (conseil municipal) de la ville d�Erevan (Arm�nie) le 5 mai 2013, le Congr�s a adopt� aujourd�hui � sa 25e Session une recommandation et une r�solution sur le sujet. Stewart Dickson (Royaume, R, GILD), rapporteur du Congr�s et chef de la d�l�gation, s�est f�licit� de voir que le nouveau Code �lectoral arm�nien avait contribu� au calme et � la bonne pr�paration technique du scrutin. Il a pourtant not� que des questions comme l�installation de cam�ras vid�o dans tous les bureaux de vote et le nombre consid�rable d�observateurs internes pr�sents, ainsi que la large utilisation de t�l�phones portables restaient probl�matiques. Il s�est arr�t� sur le probl�me de l�enregistrement des �lecteurs, invitant les autorit�s arm�niennes � faire du principal lieu de r�sidence permanente � outre l�enregistrement � une condition pour voter au niveau local. En conclusion, il a soulign� que � conform�ment � nos coll�gues de la Commission de Venise, nous sommes convaincus au Congr�s que le cadre l�gislatif de l�Arm�nie pourrait garantir des �lections v�ritablement d�mocratiques. Cependant, il ne suffit pas de l�gif�rer. Nous encourageons donc les autorit�s arm�niennes � appliquer pleinement et comme il convient l�ensemble des dispositions sur le sujet et � inciter les citoyens � faire usage de leur droit d�mocratique de voter �. Intervenant lors du d�bat, Doreen Huddart, membre du Comit� des r�gions de l�Union europ�enne qui a �galement particip� � la mission d�observation, a soulign� encore l�absence d�am�nagement pour �lecteurs handicap�s, ajoutant que � les autorit�s pourraient en faire bien davantage pour aider les �lecteurs confin�s chez eux ou handicap�s � exercer leurs droits d�mocratiques �. 

Discours (anglais)
Rapport
Interview Mediabox S. Dickson (vid�o YouTube, anglais)