WARSAW, 30 May 2008 - The pre-election and voting period of Armenia's
presidential election was conducted in a manner that mostly met OSCE
commitments, but problems arose, notably after the vote, the OSCE Office for
Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a
final report on the
February election, released today.

"While the 2008 presidential election mostly met OSCE commitments and
international standards in the pre-election period and during voting hours,
serious challenges to some commitments did emerge, especially after election
day," the report says.

"This displayed an insufficient regard for standards essential to democratic
elections and devalued the overall election process. In particular, the vote
count demonstrated deficiencies of accountability and transparency, and
complaints and appeals procedures were not fully effective."

The ODIHR monitored the February presidential election with 44 long-term and 250
short-term observers from over 40 OSCE participating States. The report assesses
the electoral process for compliance with OSCE commitments, other international
standards and national legislation.

"There is a sound legal basis for holding democratic elections in Armenia - the
deficiencies noted in our report resulted primarily from a lack of determination
to apply existing laws and rules effectively and impartially," said Ambassador
Christian Strohal, Director of the ODIHR.

"Improving Armenia's electoral framework does not require so much further
technical or legal changes, but rather a genuine commitment by the authorities
at all levels, as well as all other political stakeholders, to a democratic
electoral process free of undue State interference and in line with OSCE
standards."

The report makes concrete recommendations on how to improve Armenia's election
framework. These include measures to address the lack of public confidence in
the electoral process, to ensure that all citizens are able to cast their votes
free of coercion or intimidation, and to establish a clear separation between
State structures and the ruling party.