As of 15:00 on 17 September, the day of the election to the Yerevan Council of Elders, the hotline of the staff of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia received 56 phone calls related to the electoral process. 16 of the problems received a positive solution with the support of the Defender.
The working group created by the order of the Defender also studied about 800 publications posted in the media and social networks during the specified period.
The problems raised by the working group mainly related to not being notified about the precinct centers, having registration at a different address, but exercising the right to vote in the place of their choice on the day of the election, the possibility of participating in the elections with another document in case of not having a passport, if its validity period has expired, in case of having a residence status not being able to exercise the electoral right due to the lack of data in the voter lists, the exercise of the electoral right of persons who do not have the opportunity to present themselves at the precinct election centers (bed-sick, with problems of independent movement), being deprived of the opportunity to participate in the elections if they have not been registered in Yerevan for less than 6 months, the voting procedure and the accessibility of the polling station.
As a result of the monitoring, apparent problems related to voter directions, presence of outsiders in polling stations, proper furnishing of voting booths, technical condition of identification devices were also recorded.
The staff of the Human Rights Defender studies with special attention the information on the possible obstacles to the work of journalists and observers, the apparent cases of hindering their activities.
Notably, the Ombudsman’s staff is working in an emergency mode today, citizens are provided with legal advice, and if necessary, a quick response is insured.
Complaints related to the exercise of electoral rights can be addressed to the Defender by phone numbers 116 and (096) 116100 or by visiting the office at c. Address: 56a building, Pushkin str., Yerevan.
