Christian-democratic union of Armenia endorses arguments against shifting to 100 percent party-list-based parliamentary elections
17.01.2012,
19:30
The chairman of the Christian-Democratic Union of Armenia has endorsed today the arguments of the ruling majority against shifting to 100 percent party-list-based parliamentary elections. Speaking at a news conference, Khosrov Harutyunyan, a former prime minister and ex-parliament chairman, described the opposition’s proposal ‘senseless’ with only a few months left to next parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place in May 2012.
YEREVAN, January 17. /ARKA/. The chairman of the Christian-Democratic Union of Armenia has endorsed today the arguments of the ruling majority against shifting to 100 percent party-list-based parliamentary elections. Speaking at a news conference, Khosrov Harutyunyan, a former prime minister and ex-parliament chairman, described the opposition’s proposal ‘senseless’ with only a few months left to next parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place in May 2012.
The opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) and the Zharangutyun (Heritage) party suggested late last month that the authorities agree to distribute all 131 seats in the National Assembly under the system of proportional representation. Under the existing law, only 90 seats will be up for grabs on the party-list basis. The remaining 41 deputies are to be elected on an individual basis.
‘Proposals to shift to 100% proportional electoral system are made ahead of every general elections. What we need first of all is to improve the quality of our political parties. I do not think that shifting to 100% proportional electoral system will help do it,’ he said, arguing that this electoral system ‘does not guarantee holding free and transparent polls and may even increase corruption risks.’
‘Neither majoritarian nor proportional elections are free of fraud. Therefore, a 100% proportional system is not a safeguard against rigging the polls," he said.
"I think that the proposal shows that some political forces want this way to gain political dividends," said Harutyunyan.
He urged voters to use effectively their chance to influence the outcome of the elections and noted that "if we fail to hold free and fair elections, the country would be at an impasse." -0-
The opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) and the Zharangutyun (Heritage) party suggested late last month that the authorities agree to distribute all 131 seats in the National Assembly under the system of proportional representation. Under the existing law, only 90 seats will be up for grabs on the party-list basis. The remaining 41 deputies are to be elected on an individual basis.
‘Proposals to shift to 100% proportional electoral system are made ahead of every general elections. What we need first of all is to improve the quality of our political parties. I do not think that shifting to 100% proportional electoral system will help do it,’ he said, arguing that this electoral system ‘does not guarantee holding free and transparent polls and may even increase corruption risks.’
‘Neither majoritarian nor proportional elections are free of fraud. Therefore, a 100% proportional system is not a safeguard against rigging the polls," he said.
"I think that the proposal shows that some political forces want this way to gain political dividends," said Harutyunyan.
He urged voters to use effectively their chance to influence the outcome of the elections and noted that "if we fail to hold free and fair elections, the country would be at an impasse." -0-
