JOURNALISTS’ WORK WAS BLOCKED BY COMMITTEE CHAIR

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Presence of the camera team made nervous Ashot Hunanyan, Chair of N 15/50 divisional election committee of Kentron Commune. Acting regardless of the documents introduced by us, Mr Hunanyan began shouting and ordered the policemen to show us the door . His behaviour was not surprising as a protocol on infringements was being made at the moment .
Someone had voted instead of Aneta Abrahamyan and her family before they went to polling station. It’s not the only irregularity. The tenants of Myasnikyan, 20 and 21 houses were beforehand voted instead, too , the proxies in the committee say. Of course, Hunanyan didn’t confirm the information. He just read to us the 30-th article of Election Law Code, which makes provisions both for journalists’ presence in election centres and watching the election results .

When we reminded him about the articles which allow journalists to watch election process, he became more angry and again ordered the law-enforcement bodies to take us out . The policemen sent on our cameraman’s way and threatened him to seize the camera .

Parliament Vice-Speaker Gagik Aslanyan entered the polling station while we were leaving. Sentiments in election centre changed as soon as he appeared. Committee Chair asked us smilingly why we hadn’t introduced the suitable documents . He would probably be surprised if knew that “A1+” cameraman had managed to record his conduct and statements before Parliament Vice-Speaker came . “A1+” cameraman could record not only Committee Chair but also the policemen who were performing his order.