Watchdog reports misuse of administrative resources in Vagharshapat election campaign

Causes of administrative resource misuse have been recorded in Armenia’s Vagharshapat community ahead of the November 16 municipal elections, raising concerns about potential disproportionate actions by law enforcement authorities, said Gohar Meloyan, head of the International Center on Development of Parliamentarism NGO.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Meloyan urged citizens to exercise their right to vote, noting that low turnout in Yerevan’s municipal elections reflected declining public trust in political parties and the electoral process. “In contrast, Gyumri showed higher turnout, nearly double that of the previous elections,” she said.

The NGO, accredited to observe the upcoming Vagharshapat City Council elections, has documented cases where municipal employees were instructed to attend campaign rallies and put up posters for a specific candidate. Meloyan described the incidents as a “blatant misuse of administrative resources.”

She also cited earlier incidents in Gyumri, where relatives of candidates were detained on the eve of elections, warning against a repeat of such disproportionate actions by law enforcement. Meloyan emphasized the key role of NGOs and media in ensuring fair and transparent elections in Armenia.

International Center on Development of Parliamentarism was formed in 2019, declaring the primary goals of its activities: 
1. establishment of democracy, 
2. the consolidation of the rule of law, 
3. the development of parliamentarism, 
4. raising people's awareness and legal consciousness, 
5. and ensuring the implementation of personal, political, and socio-economic rights in the Republic of Armenia.
During 6 years of its operation, the organization has carried out awareness-raising activities and organized training courses in the regions of the Republic of Armenia.
ICDP also carries out observation missions in electoral processes, in the context of which it organizes training courses for observers.