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Nareg: thanks for participating, and posting this article. Having heard such dire things about the prior national election, I was concerned that this one too would be flawed and bring criticism on Armenia’s efforts towards democracy. From your report here, it sounds like the balloting was legitimate. Let’s hope, as well, that the counting of the ballots is as encouraging.
How do you get from Nareg’s article that the election was legitimate? He says basically ‘I don’t know; it could’ve been ok but perhaps not.’
Aprees Nareg for being so candid and straight forward.
I know you are a very smart young man and no one would easily pull wool over your eyes.
My spouse and I have also observed “full time” in 2 different polling stations for 21 hours straight, and like you I found that these people went out of their way to show that they are being transparent and trying to follow the rules as complicated as they were.
In the districts my wife and I observed (and I was standing on top of the district chairman during the count) I can vouch that the results represent the actual vote.
You have made a very important point about the accusations levelled by the “sore losers”: Even if a person is paid on condition they vote for a certain candidate, there is nothing that stops them from voting for a different candidate when they get to the voting booth; and if someone suspects a “carrousel”, then there is nothing that stops the person, who really does not want to vote for the party who is supposedly “buying” their vote, from putting an extra mark on the voting ballot thus rendering it invalid.
Do you honestly believe in your statement “it would be IMPOSSIBLE to FORCE them to vote for a particular candidate”? Or is it just a strong word you chose to use to make your point? No matter your affiliations or your opinions (to which you are entitled to), i think when writing an article that is meant to be read by people other than yourself, you should make an effort to use statements that cannot be disproved (at least not so easily). Unless sticking to facts is not a journalistic responsibility you are guided by.