InternationalLet the people prevail
Published: Saturday April 21, 2007
On May 12, the citizens of the Republic of Armenia will go to the polls and elect a new National Assembly.
The election campaign is in full swing. The parties and individual candidates are reaching out to voters with their platforms, their assessments of the current situation, and their plans for the future. There are well-attended rallies throughout the country. People can see all their choices.
The parties and candidates running represent a range of options: from advocates of unfettered free-market capitalism to socialists to communists. That said, most advocate a balanced foreign policy of continuing good relations with Russia, the United States, and Europe, maintaining peace, and reaching a settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh that provides for continued Armenian control of the region and the security of its people. Likewise, most acknowledge the economic policies that have allowed Armenia to make significant economic progress over the last few years, though they have divergent views on the nature and pace of further reforms.
The U.S. chargé d'affaires in Armenia has rightly pointed out, "it doesn't appear that there were any . . . political decisions taken to disallow parties or candidates. We were worried about it, but it appears that it went well."
This is an exciting moment for Armenia, whose people, 15 years ago, declared their intention to build a democratic state. It is also a critical moment: for people to maintain their faith in their burgeoning state, the elections must be free and fair.
The Central Electoral Commission is legally responsible to ensure that the elections meet this standard. The president, the government, the Central Electoral Commission, and various political parties have declared their commitment to free and fair elections. Officials, activists, and citizens must understand that their leaders mean what they say. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of every citizen to be active and vigilant.
Several entities, including domestic groups, are monitoring the election process. This process includes or has included legal reforms, the establishment of electoral commissions, the verification of voter rolls, nominations, the training of poll workers, and much else.
It also includes the campaign. Careful monitoring is underway to confirm that incumbents do not get disproportionate coverage in the mass media. Indications so far are that opposition candidates have more access to television than has been the case in the past. A good gauge is state-run public television, which has been providing significant news coverage to opposition candidates in addition to legally mandated free time. As for print media, a wide range of views are published and readily distributed. The government newspaper, Hayastani Hanrapetutiun, has been allocating room to all parties.
It is gratifying to see that, so far, Armenia is living up to its promise. On Election Day, we look forward to seeing citizens throughout the country exercise their right to vote - and carefully guard that right.
Armenians living in the United States have a role too. Through our connections to Armenia, we can and should encourage citizens to participate in the democratic process, be vigilant, and help Armenia fulfill the promise it made to itself - and to the world - to be a free nation led by its people.
