Election day proceeding normally, says CEC

Three election commission officials, including two precinct chairs and a secretary, did not show up for duty on election day at their assigned stations because they were arrested amid an ongoing criminal investigation, Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission Chairman Vahagn Hovakimyan has said.

Hovakimyan delivered a press briefing on election day, shortly after all 2,005 polling stations across the country opened for the parliamentary elections.

He reported minor technical issues in some places but said that everything is proceeding normally.

“All polling stations began their work at 07:00 in the morning, and from 08:00 all polling stations started receiving voters. As of 08:00, out of 2,005 polling stations, commission members were absent in 48. Of the total 50 absentees, three are two precinct commission chairs and one secretary, whose failure to appear is due to criminal proceedings. However, I should note that the Electoral Code allows the process to continue even if any member of the election commission is absent. If necessary, the heads of territorial election commissions appoint new members,” he said.

According to Hovakimyan, some technical issues arose at polling stations during this time, but they were quickly resolved on the spot. Overall, the voting process is proceeding normally.

Referring to the preparatory work ahead of June 7, Hovakimyan noted that the Central Electoral Commission had organized training sessions: around 4,000 participants were technical equipment operators, and about 16,000 were members of local election commissions. Special training was also conducted for precinct chairs and secretaries.

Addressing the question of what penalties would apply to citizens attempting to photograph ballots or take them out of polling stations, the CEC chair said:

“First, it is not allowed to take photos or in any way violate the secrecy of the vote. The secrecy of the vote is not only a right but also an obligation. Most importantly, it is not allowed to use a pen during voting; there is no need for it. If there is any mark on the envelope or ballot, that vote will be considered invalid. And generally, I do not understand the urge to photograph the ballot—there are many ballots in the voting booth; one can take pictures of those if they wish. The system excludes any illegal control over the voting process.”