Council of Europe 
Consell de I 'Europe 

Communique de presse 
Contact: Sabine Zimmer 
Tel: +33/3 88 41 25 97 Fax; +33/3 88 41 27 89 
Email: PressUnit@coe.fr 
For Immediate release 

THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OBSERVIHG THE ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA 

Yerevan, 18.03.98: "Overall, the presidential election in Armenia held
16 March 1998 was deemed by the Council of Europe observers as
acceptable for this stage in the electoral process. Although there were
areas - usually the same in which infringements were detected in 1996 -
where there were serious irregularities that gave rise for much concern"
the Head of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Ad- Hoc
Committee for the monitoring of the elections in Armenia Lord
RUSSELL-JOHNSTON (UK) said today in Yerevan. 
The ad hoc Committee made up of 9 members of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly observed the presidential elections of 16 March
at the invitation of the Armenian authorities. It visited 25 palling
stations in Yerevan and outlying areas. The Committee worked in close
co-operation with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in
Europe (OSCK) which had a large established presence on the ground. 
The Committee was under the impression that the conduct of the vote
represented an improvement over the previous elections. It heard,
however, allegation of irregularities, many of a technical and specific
nature, namely instances of family voting, open voting, the presence of
uniformed and p3.ain clothed policemen at polling stations, faked
ballots, for example. Those were referred to the Central Electoral
Committee. The delegation believes that those irregularities were mainly
caused by overzealousness of mid-level electora1 officials and did not
represent a co-ordinated policy by the authorities. In addition, claims
were made by opposition representatives of wide-scale violations of the
electoral law. Those included attacks on polling station officials,
fraudulent voting, voting of foreign nationals upon presentation of
various certificates rather than passports that specify nationality and
place of residents, etc. These allegations were serious and a number
were proven, the majority, however, could not be immediately validated
and supporting evidence is awaited. 
Lord RUSSKLL-JOHNSTON said, "it was regrettable that the high standards,
observed aver the greater part of Armenia were marred by some deplorable
incidents in some areas. The political parties owe it to the great
majority of the people of Armenia, who have shown their will to make
democracy work, that the second round of the presidential elections is
everywhere regulated in a fair and free way and sets an example for the
future." 
A report of the observation of these elections will be drafted by the
rapporteur Demetrio VOLCIC (Italy) and presented to the Parliamentary
Assembly during its next plenary session (April 98). The observation of
the elections is part of the procedure fog Armenia's accession to the
Council of Europe. The rapporteur on the accession Eisso WOLTJER
(Netherlands) was also a member of the Committee. The official request
for membership was lodged on 7 March 1996. On 26 January 1996, the
Armenian Parliament obtained special status with the 
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly.