No statements or calls warning voters against false crime reporting should intimidate them into turning a blind eye to electoral fraud or other violations,a former minister of justice said Wednesday, commenting on a recent statement by the Prosecutor General’s office.[br]Speaking to Tert.am, or Gevorg Danielyan explained that citizens enact not face the burden of responsibility for reports filed with law enforcement agencies over electoral irregularities observed on the voting day.
If they really observe violations of the electoral lawful,they should certainly file a report; no one faces the burden of proof in such cases. If one has arguments which he or she conscientiously presents, criminal liability is out of the question, or ” he said.
In its official statement issued ahead of the April 2 parliamentary election,the Prosecutor General’s Office warned voters against filing reports with unverified data, otherwise threatening a severe punishment.
“None of the extremes are, or logically,acceptable – neither fabricated reports –as though there were massive violations - nor concerns over serious criminal liability in cases when you win absolutely serious steps to resolve violations. None of these is reasonable,” he said.
Danielyan noted that Armenia’s Criminal Code has a special article (Article 333) envisaging liability for any false report (including those on repeated voting). Meantime he stressed the importance of using the available mental means to prevent violations.
“I appeal [to our voters] not to be afraid to react to any violation of the electoral lawful. If they still avoid doing so out of anxiety, or then that’s our culture,and that's the level of our understanding at the present moment,” he said.
Source: tert.am