Opposition Takes to the Streets
YEREVAN (A.W.)—A total of 1,296,368 people, around 50.51 percent of eligible voters, participated in today’s referendum on constitutional reforms according to preliminary figures released by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC). The final results of the referendum are expected to be released by the CEC in the coming hours.
Four international and 18 local observation missions monitored the vote, including a Civil Society Institute (CSI) mission (44 observers), CSI Inter-Parliamentary Commission (23 observers), a Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) mission (11 observers), and an Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) mission (5 observers), according to Civilnet.am. There were proxies, observers, or media representatives in 85-90 percent of the 1,997 election precincts throughout the country, according to the CEC.
There have been reports of violations and irregularities, and authorities have said they will pursue some of these claims.
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has been a strong proponent of the constitutional reforms. The party has advocated for a transition to a parliamentary system of government in Armenia since independence. Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot, ARF Bureau representative Hrant Markarian said that Armenia has the opportunity to form a new political framework with the possibility of real competition. “I’m confident that this is a new beginning for Armenia today,” he said.
Several hundred members and supporters of the opposition “New Armenia” movements, as well as supporters of other opposition groups that campaigned against constitutional changes, marched towards the CEC building in Yerevan shortly after the closure of ballots, late Sunday night. Demonstrators protested what they called a referendum that had been falsified by the authorities and were met with a heavy police presence. They also called for the annulment of the results of the referendum, which have yet to be released.
Raffi Hovannisian, a member of the “New Armenia” opposition movement, tore his ballot at the polling station in protest. “The system, which is based on one person and one party that just want to strengthen their positions by this referendum, is unacceptable,” Hovannisian said, reported Reuters.
Armenia’s National Assembly approved the proposed package of constitutional reforms on Oct. 5, with a vote of 103 to 10. Three members of the National Assembly abstained.
The proposed reforms call for a shift from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary form of government. The reforms also look to introduce a governmental system in which the powers of the president are drastically reduced, and are almost only ceremonial. According to the proposal, Armenia’s president will be elected for a seven-year term (currently, a five-year term) by parliament, not a national vote, and can only serve one term.
If passed, under the new system Armenia would work with a 101-seat parliament with a 5-year term elected entirely by proportional representation. Under the current system of government, there are 131 members of parliament, with 41 elected in first-past-the-post constituencies and the rest by proportional representation.
It is disappointing that for such an important and critical referendum the turnout is too low.
The question is whether this is due to apathy or lack of trust in the process and the government.
The big questions and unknown is whether President Serge Sarkissian is doing a la Putin ploy/maneuver to remain in power as Prime Minister.
Time will tell. Sincerely hope for improvement.
Vart Adjemian
The people are disappointed because, as always, the votes were rigged with fraud, as noted by independent observers.
“Armenia fraud claims mar referendum on constitution”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35025853
The people are fed up. It’s only a matter of time before it all explodes.