OSCE/ODIHR releases preliminary conclusion on Armenian parliamentary elections.

The parliamentary elections held on May 6 were free, the Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Radmila Šekerinska said at a press conference on Monday.

According to her, media outlets’ coverage was broad and balanced. However, the election campaign was shadowed by distrust for the voting lists and violations of the Election Code, which created unequal conditions.

“We enjoyed monitoring of the generally peaceful and calm voting process. However, some organizational issues, including interference of party representatives in the process, as well as serious violations as intimidation of voters in separate precincts were observed. Media outlets broadly covered the election campaign. We believe that the coverage will continue in post-election period as well,” Šekerinska said.

The OCSE/ODIHR final results will be available in two months. It will contain recommendations on improving the election process. According to Šekerinska, they are ready to cooperate with Armenia to improve legislation and secure its implementation. Improvement of the mentioned issues will provide for raising trust of the society towards election processes.

Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission has issued the preliminary results of Sunday’s parliamentary elections.

The figures are as follows: Republican Party of Armenia – 44.05% (663,066 votes), Prosperous Armenia Party – 30.20% (454,684 votes), Armenian National Congress – 7.10% (106,910 votes), Heritage Party – 5.79% (87,095 votes), ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party – 5.73% (86, 296 votes), Orinats Yerkir Party – 5.49% (82,690 votes), Communist Party of Armenia – 1.06% (15,933 votes), Democratic Party of Armenia – 0.37% (5,633 votes), United Armenians Party – 0.20% (3, 080 votes).

For entering the 131-seat National Assembly (Parliament), the parties must poll over 5% of votes, while blocs - over 7%.