We, the above signed organizations, taking into consideration the first round of presidential elections and being confident in the possibility to organize free, fair and transparent elections in Armenia, state:

1. State and private mass media controlled by the government, especially, television stations, did not provide equal conditions for election candidates, providing biased campaign for the incumbent president.

2. The authorities used state administrative resources in favor to the incumbent president, putting a pressure on heads, staff and beneficiaries of various organizations.

3. Harassment, abuse and brutality were used in the whole pre-election phase.

4. On the election day domestic and international observers registered numerous violations of the law, electoral fraud implemented either by the direct order or acceptance from the authorities.

5. Not transparent process of vote tabulation raises concerns about the validity of the final results of elections.

6. Arrest and administrative detention of participants of the peaceful demonstrations on February 21 is violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.

7. Biased information and the threatening tone of the announcements presented by the mass media, especially television, intensify the tense situation created by the above mentioned reasons.

Based on the above:

1. We appeal to the authorities of the Republic of Armenia, demanding release of peaceful demonstrators sentenced to the administrative detention.

2. We appeal to the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia, demanding prompt investigation of violations that were registered by the local and international observers and/or published in the media, as well as publication of preliminary results of investigation by the second round of elections. This can prevent the further violations of the law.

3. We appeal to the Police of the Republic of Armenia, demanding public announcement of the planned preventive measures of violation of the law during the voting and vote count.

4. We blame speeches threatening the public, and

5. We appeal to the public to participate actively in the elections, which is one the main assurances in preventing the election fraud.

Helsinki Committee of Armenia

Civil Society Development Union

Foundation for Support of Freedom of Speech

«Collaboration for Democracy» Union

Association of Investigative Journalists of Armenia

Helsinki Citizens' Assembly - Vanadzor

We call NGO's to join this statement

Contact:

Civil Society Development Union

15/46 Papazyan Str.
Yerevan, 375002, Armenia

Tel/fax.: (+3741) 22 34 40

Mobile: (+3749) 40 36 09

csdu@csdu.am

www.csdu.am