Opposition groups which oppose changes in Armenia’s constitution say that a number of cases of fraud have been observed at polling stations during today’s referendum. report ArmeniaNow
The ballot in progress is on constitutional amendments envisaging Armenia’s switch from the current semi-presidential to a parliamentary form of government.
Before the referendum, the “No” camp representatives repeatedly pointed out that the referendum will pass with frauds, recalling previous elections.
“While higher representatives of authorities were recently promising that no election bribe would be delivered during this election, they have been delivering it since yesterday,” said Armen Martirosyan, deputy head of Heritage party, a member of New Armenia Public Salvation Front.
“We got a call that money was distributed in a minibus, in front of polling station 7/33, 116 people from a pastry factory came to polling station 7/23 with additional lists to vote, and a ballot stuffing was prevented at 7/22,” Martirosyan told media on Sunday.
According to Martirosyan, pressures on members of the committees are also very specific. “I have been a committee member since 1996 and since 2004 have been part of the Heritage party and I do not ever remember that these kinds of temptations and pressure on the members of the election committee have been carried out,” he concluded.
Raffi Hovannisian, the Heritage party leader, New Armenia civil group member, after filling in the ballot and putting it in the envelope tore it saying that he did it “for the sake of the Republic of Armenia”.
For five days the New Armenia Public Salvation Front, which brought together more than a dozen political and civil forces, including Founding Parliament and Heritage parties, has organized a sit-in in Liberty Square saying “no” to the constitutional amendments.