On March 3, a new Draft Electoral Code of Armenia was adopted at a cabinet sitting by the Armenian Government. Chief of Armenian Government Staff Davit Harutyunyan presented the Draft and announced that the final version of the document will be prepared through active political debates to be conducted until June 1. “The focus of the key discussions should be transferred to the political field, and for that reason some discussions are proposed to be held at the National Assembly. The adoption of the Code signals the launch of public discussion phase to be held at the National Assembly,” Harutyunyan sajd. Two major innovations were introduced into the new Code. One provision states that the Head of local self-government bodies in Gyumri, Vanadzor communities shall be elected directly by electors like in Yerevan City. “This is the first step and I think the list will expand and we will move toward strengthening of the role of political forces in the communities,” Harutyunyan added.
The second innovation, set by the amended Constitution, is that Elections of the National Assembly shall be held under the proportional electoral system. Harutyunyan indicated that serious amendments are proposed with regard of the formation of Central Electoral Commission.
According to that, the powers of the Central Electoral Commission member shall be terminated by the National Assembly, by at least three fifths of votes of the total number of Deputies, which constitute 60%.
Harutyunyan added the Draft Code contains the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations for the two previous elections.
Full Article: New Draft Electoral Code Adopted by the Armenian Government | Asbarez.com.
