ANC: Authorities` reckless behavior is not sign of strength, but of  fear

ArmInfo.The authorities, clearly fearing the people's freedom of speech, are resorting to extremely dangerous measures.

Considering the high level of civic consciousness and active participation of compatriots in the  elections as a threat to the expected results, they have begun illegal efforts to intimidate voters, spread an atmosphere of fear, and openly threaten criminal prosecution against compatriots arriving in Armenia. This is stated in a statement by the Armenian National Congress.

The statement notes that illegal, threatening video messages from  representatives of the Civil Contract party are being broadcast on  Public Television in criminal collaboration. The entire state  propaganda machine is involved in this anti-state effort. "The  complete destruction of the legal system is confirmed by the fact  that the Investigative Committee, instead of issuing criminal  convictions against officials who violate the law, announces, at  their direction, an "increase in inspections." In fact, state law  enforcement agencies have turned into a political punitive club for  the subversion of the electoral process. This is an attack on the  power of the people. Article 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of  Armenia states: "Power belongs to the people." What the authorities  are doing now is a brutal violation of the constitutional principle  of the formation of power by the people and the destruction of the  right to freedom of expression.  We demand an immediate end to  psychological terror and illegal propaganda directed against citizens  on Public Television and any other platforms. The heads of the  Investigative Committee and law enforcement agencies must refrain  from following political orders and remember that involving state  bodies in the overthrow of the constitutional order is a grave crime  for which individual responsibility will be inevitable.   International observation missions must immediately respond to this  unprecedented abuse of administrative and state resources, which  threatens "The legitimacy of the election results," the document  states.  It also emphasizes that the authorities' reckless behavior  is not a sign of strength, but of fear. "They fear your vote. No  punitive baton can restrict the inalienable constitutional right of  citizens to free choice," the statement continues.

Regular parliamentary elections are taking place in Armenia on June  7. 2,005 polling stations opened at 8:00 AM. According to the latest  data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 2,485,851 citizens have  the right to vote. The Central Electoral Commission is expected to  release voter turnout data throughout the day. Voting will last until  8:00 PM, after which the counting will begin. Eighteen political  forces-16 parties and two blocs-are vying for seats in the country's  parliament. These are: The Armenia and Strong Armenia blocs, the  Civil Contract, Prosperous Armenia, Meritocratic Armenia, Against  All, Democratic Consolidation, Wings of Unity, Enlightened Armenia,  National Democratic Pole, Christian Democratic Party, Armenian  National Congress, New Force, Republic, Reformist Party, Democracy,  Law, Order, National Revival and Awakening of the Nation Kochari,  Union of Defenders of Democracy for the Sake of the Republic parties.