US ambassador to Armenia calls for trusting elections.

In his speech on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia-US diplomatic relations, US Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern touched on the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia, Tert.am reports.

Political will is important, but а nation cannot form political structures hoping that ruling authorities will do everything right, Ambassador Heffern said.

He pointed out widespread mistrust in elections.

A poll, which was conducted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and involved 1,500 Armenian citizens, showed that only 12% of Armenia’s citizens believe in free and fair elections. In this context, Ambassador Heffern is concerned with people’s possible reaction: they may leave everything to the authorities or, which would be even worse, miss this chance of changes.

The diplomat also mentioned the claims that the May 6 parliamentary elections will be rigged in Armenia, as well as the calls for pickets the day after the elections.

The US ambassador is sure that people must do their share of the work, create institutional networks and alliances to make their voice heard, develop and employ mechanisms of preventing election rigging.

Forming such structures requires laborious work.

The US hails the brave and loyal citizens both within the Establishment and outside it, who are working hard at forming such structures, Ambassador Heffern said.