Armenian lawmakers propose ban on “biased” election observers

Lawmakers from Armenia’s ruling party have introduced a proposal that could bar election observers deemed biased from monitoring elections.

The proposal comes after criticism of certain observer groups, including the Ayakve initiative, which were accused of campaigning against the ruling Civil Contract party during last year’s municipal elections in Gyumri and Vagharshapat, according to ruling party MP Arusyak Joulakyan, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.

Under the proposed changes, the Central Election Commission (CEC) would have the authority to oversee compliance with observer regulations and could revoke the credentials of individual members of organizations that violate the rules. In cases of serious infractions, the CEC could revoke the credentials of all members of a given organisation.

By Sabina Mammadli