Akanates Election Observation Mission calls Armenian elections  politically competitive

ArmInfo.  The Akanates Election Observation Mission has declared Armenia's recent parliamentary elections to be politically competitive, characterized  by active voter participation and a generally peaceful voting  process.

According to a statement received by ArmInfo, Akanates deployed 712  observers nationwide on election day. Utilizing a statistically  rigorous random sampling method, 520 observers monitored the entire  voting process across 260 polling stations. While this sample  accounted for roughly 13% of all polling stations nationwide, the  mission noted that the methodology provides an accurate snapshot of  the electoral process at a national level.

"Although observation was conducted at only a small proportion of all  polling stations in the country (13%), the sample observation method  allows for a snapshot of the electoral process at the national level.   Additionally, eight observers monitored voting across six  correctional facilities, while six others tracked mobile ballot box  voting, including deployments to three psychiatric institutions and  three military medical facilities. An agile team of 54 field  observers also visited 456 polling stations outside the core sample  to monitor surrounding communities, while 70 observers monitored the  work of 38 Territorial Election Commissions (TECs," the statement  reads.

According to Akanates, while the day was largely peaceful, there were  localized tensions at specific polling stations. These issues stemmed  from overt manipulation, attempts to violate ballot secrecy, efforts  to influence voters, and aggressive behavior by certain participants.  The mission noted that representatives from various parties and  alliances were implicated in these infractions.

"The work of the electoral commissions, despite some technical  shortcomings, ensured the proper voting and tabulation of results.  The police also largely fulfilled their functions as prescribed by  law," the statement reads.

It is also noted that the mission has sent complaints to the  electoral commissions regarding significant violations identified on  election day, and in some cases, reports are being prepared for law  enforcement agencies.

The Akanates Observation Mission was founded in August 2018. Its  members include the Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center  and Law Development and Protection  Foundation. The mission's goal is  to promote free and fair elections in line with Armenian law and  international standards, the legitimacy of electoral processes, and  public oversight.

The Election Observation Mission for the 2026 National Assembly  Elections of the Republic of Armenia is being implemented with the  financial support of the European Union, the United States Marshall  Fund, the Transatlantic Fund (GMF TF), the Embassy of Norway, the  National Endowment for Democracy, the European Endowment for  Democracy, and the Democracy Assistance Foundation.  Views and  opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not  necessarily reflect those of the financial supporters.