Individuals Associated with the Head of Kosh Community Guided Voters: 'Independent Observer'

On December 8, local elections for the community head and council were held in several communities across Armenia. These municipal elections took place in 16 communities of Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Gegharkunik, Lori, Kotayk, and Shirak marzes, with 12 communities holding regular elections and 4 conducting extraordinary polls. In these communities, elections for the community head were held in 12 cases, while in 4 communities, elections for council members were conducted.

The 'Independent Observer' reported several violations within the Kosh community. Specifically, it noted that individuals associated with the incumbent head, including two authorized representatives, were guiding voters at polling station 18/4 throughout the day. Observers observed multiple instances of voters being transported to and from the polling station in the same vehicles.

At the polling station, another authorized representative of the same candidate was welcoming and directing voters, providing instructions regarding the registration process, and effectively taking on the responsibilities of the commission's chairperson. One of the individuals associated with the head of the community also entered the polling station without being a voter at that time and without holding any status that would allow for presence.

Repeated gatherings of people and vehicles around the polling center were observed, which, according to the observers, were linked to the guiding activities of the aforementioned individuals. The vehicle registration numbers involved in the transportation of voters include 36PO856 and 36OJ256.

The commission chair was unable to take necessary measures to stop this recurring practice, and the police officer on duty dispersed the gatherings only after urging from the observers.