US congratulates Armenia on presidential election, yet calls to investigate into violations

YEREVAN, February 21. /ARKA/. US State Department congratulated Armenia on the February 18 presidential elections, yet called to investigate into violation cases.

“The United States congratulates the people of Armenia on their February 18 presidential elections, which were judged by international observers to be generally well-administered and characterized by a respect for fundamental freedoms, including those of assembly and expression”, US State department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said as quoted by RIA Novosti.

Nuland agreed that the media fulfilled their legal obligation to provide balanced coverage and all contestants made use of their free air time. Yet, the observers were concerned about some lack of impartiality on the part of public administration officials, misuse of administrative resources and pressure on voters. 

“We urge law enforcement officials to investigate and to take appropriate action in response to credible reporting of election violations, and we call on all parties to remain calm in this post-election period and to exercise restraint in their actions,” Nuland said.

According to preliminary results of the elections, Armenia’s incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan won re-election Monday with 861,378 votes or 58.64%. CIS and European observers gave, in general, a positive opinion of the presidential elections in Armenia, called them democratic and legitimate, noting some violations, which had no impact on the election results. --0--