YEREVAN. - Publication of post-election voter lists cannot replace the electronic system.

Prosperous Armenian Party MP and economist Mikayel Melkumyan told the aforementioned to Armenian News –NEWS.am, commenting on the decision of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) to revoke the Electoral Code provisions on new controlling mechanisms.

As reported earlier, international donors had promised to allocate 16 mln euro for technological equipment ahead of the elections, but the authorities extended the process for so long that in the end they failed it.

“I assess the situation 50-50. I can’t state that the authorities failed it intentionally. But one thing I can say precisely: however good the Armenian Electoral Code is, the fate of the elections does not depend on it.  It depends on the atmosphere. The problems will not disappear immediately. Changes are needed and we must see them before the elections.  Otherwise, regardless of how well the Code is written, nothing will change,” Malkumyan said.

He also stressed that the publication of the voter lists was the key demand of the opposition, but if the authorities agree, the legal consequences will have to be ascertained.

“The question is what the real legal consequences can be after the publication of those lists. For instance, if it is found out that at X polling station there are differences between the protocols of local electoral committee and the lists, what will follow from this? Can we sue or not?” Melkumyan asked.

“All these - both the electronic checking by fingerprints and publication of those who have voted - are measures against falsifications. One doesn’t substitute the other: they are both important,” the MP noted.

The parliamentary elections in Armenia are slated for April 2017. 

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