Kornelij Glas brings us the 34th issue of the “Phrase of the day” series:
Quote: Unless opposition collects more then 70% of the popular vote, it should reject the mandates given to it.
Аuthor: Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Leader of Liberal-Progressive party of Armenia.
Via Global Voices Online:
Mary Joyce writes about her excitment about the Election Blogging Guide coming to Armenia and the importance of blogging.
The following are extracts from the article posted at the CRD / TI Election Monitor 2007:
“…Election blogs form an important alternative space for people to talk about politics. Although traditional media such as television, radio, and the newspapers are often biased or are afraid to publish certain news, blogs offer an opportunity for free speech. Through anonymous blogging as described in the Guide, both bloggers and commentators can even speak more freely than the traditional media. In addition, bloggers can act as citizen journalists, reporting news on election irregularities and fraud which the traditional media might not be doing.
The audience for blogging in Armenia is growing. Internet use has increased significantly in the past few years. In 2000, only 1.3 percent of Armenians were internet users. Now approximately 7.5 percent of Armenians use the internet…”
In the article entitled “The Big Game” the New Option blog discusses the promises of government to hold fair elections:
“…the Election Fraud machine formed in Armenia in 1995, and during the past ten years it has become some kind of a state institution on its own right.
The Election fraud machine also has control over business, privatization process…: Each participant of this Big Game gains his share of access to levers of power within the state, in accordance to their contribution, or their market share of the ballot rigging…:
Will the people in power be able to break that Machine? So far they have only been able to manage, control, use it – but it takes much more then that to break it. It takes extreeme measures and wide public participation…”
Another issue of the 2007 Parliamanetary Election Monitor was posted on the CRD / TI Election Monitor Blog today – focusing on all major developments of the last week. Here are some of the issues covered by this issue of the Election Monitor:
For a much detailed discussion of all of the above and more visit the CRD / TI Election Monitor Blog.
That’s the message spread out by Bekaisa, ArmYouth Blog, Anoush Armenia and possibly others. while the guest blogger on the CRD/TI Election Monitor 2007 Tamar Palandjian,Youth Program Coordinator of the Civil Society Instituteon has some further details and explanations:
“…a group of active young citizens are calling upon society to “wake up” from yet another long, cold and passive winter in Yerevan…”
…to celebrate Barekendan this year, people will be gathering at the Komitas statue (in front of the Conservatory) wearing costumes, playing jokes and games and music as well.BAREKENDAN
Sunday, February 18 at 13:00
Near the Komitas statue in front of the Music Conservatory
“Come and reclaim your oil and rice”
http://barekendan.tripod.comPlease join us and spread the word about this event! …”
Kornelij Glas has started his personal Election Leaflet – albeit a “personal and incomplete” one as he claims. Here’s a translation of what seems to be a nicely sorted account of all the main political developments in the country:
1. Opposition will most likely join forces – the matter will be finalized in the nearest times.
2. It is already clear, that the “Rule of Law” won’t join into coalition with the opposition parties. Artur Baghdasaryan says opposition should not unite into a single block as a matter of principle.
3. “Ramkavar-Liberal-Democrat” and Samvel Babayan’s “Dashinq” will run in coalition. Importantly, Babayan seems to be challenging Serge himself, by possibly running in the same cunstituency as Serge’s brother.
4. RA Minister of Justice David Harutyunyan finally made up his mind to run in the elecitons as par tof the Republican Party of Armenia. Strangely, right after the decision was made the SUV of his former Press-Secretary was subjected to an arson attack.
5.Aram Sarkisyan, the boss of “Republic”, went to Washington – for meetings.
6.A new trend is coming out – generals going to parliament. The Deputy-Minister of Defense, Artur Aghabekyan and the Commander of the Forth Corps of the Armenian Army, General Seiran Saroyan are both on their way to Parliament.
7. This time the elections will be very well represented and covered online. TI has opened a blog: Parliamentary Election Monitor, soon the Human Rights in Armenia and Internews will come up with similar initiatives on their own.
Join the lively discussion at Kornelij’s blog.
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