Azerbaijan, Baku, May 6 / Trend , E. Ostapenko/ The observers of the Council of Europe mission on municipal elections in Yerevan has concluded that there are threats for mayor's functions because of confrontation by pro-government political groups and opposition. The mission said it is hopeful that despite all hardships, the authorities can organize the elections in a decent way, the Council of Europe press release said.
"We are concerned that the real needs of the citizens of Yerevan could be brushed aside because of this confrontation," said Fabio Pellegrini at the end of the mission.
In view of the first municipal elections in the Armenian capital city of Yerevan, on 31 May 2009, a pre-electoral mission of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities was carried out from 3 to 6 May.
"Despite the concerns which were raised during our mission, we are confident that the Armenian authorities will do their utmost to conduct these elections in a decent way in line with European standards," concluded Michel Guégan.
The three-member delegation met with government and city officials, candidates from most of the political factions, as well as with NGO representatives and the media. In addition, the delegation met a group of Ambassadors of European and non-European countries.
The people that the delegation spoke to underlined the particular importance of these elections for local democracy in Armenia and the political situation in the country as a whole. The Congress delegation understood that there were threats to the proper conduct of these elections, in particular with respect to the registration and mobilisation of voters, the counting of votes, and media objectivity in the campaign.
"The Congress is aware of the importance and the specific character of these elections. As the only institutional observers of these elections, we will take these aspects into account during our observation mission, which will be carried out at the end of May," stressed Nigel Mermagen.
The coming election of mayor in Yerevan will be first in Armenia's present-day history. The elections will be held exceptionally on party lists.
Earlier, the mayor of Armenia's capital city were appointed by the government, but after adopting a new law on Yerevan city council of MPs that existed until 1990s will be re-founded and will elect mayor.
The final results of voting will be announced on 7 June and the first meeting of city council members will be held on June 8 and will elect mayor of the capital. Under the new law, the mayor of the city automatically becomes the first in the list of parties or blocs who have scored 40 percent of the votes plus one vote. If none of the political forces do reach such a large number of votes the city council should nominate candidate and then vote.
Four parties included in the ruling coalition will take part in mayor elections on proportional lists in Yerevan. The parties include Prosperous Armenia, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armenian Republican Party and Country of Law. The opposition Armenian National Congress, which units 18 parties and the Popular and the Socialist Labor Party will also participate. The campaign, which began May 2, will run until May 29.
The Council of Europe Congress is a single international organization which observers municipal elections in Armenia.
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