Karabagh Election News - from asbarez.com

Bako Sahakian Re-Elected as Karabakh President


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President Bako Sahakian casts his vote during Thursday's elections
STEPANAKERT, YEREVAN-Bako Sahakian was re-elected for a second five-year
term as President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, announced the country's
Central Electoral Commission on Friday.
According to the CEC, Sahakian received 66.7 percent of the votes, while his
main opponent, Parliament Member Vitaly Balassanian received 32.5 percent of
the votes during Thursday's vote.
Voters in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic came out in droves on Thursday to
take part in the fifth presidential elections of the country. According to
Karabakh's Central Electoral Commission, more than 73 percent of registered
voters turned out by the time polls had closed at 8 p.m. local time.
Some 110 international observers converged on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
to monitor the vote, including observers from Armenia, former Soviet
republics, the EU and the US. The Western observers were there on behalf of
NGOs and did not represent any government.
One of the American observers was former Rhode Island Attorney General
Patrick C. Lynch who arrived in Artsakh Wednesday.
"I congratulate the government of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic for their
commitment to a transparent and fair election. I look forward to
participating in this democratic process," Lynch said before leaving for
Artsakh.
In Yerevan, President Serzh Sarkisian sent a congratulatory note to his
counterpart.
"Your decisive victory in the elections is a confirmation of the historic
choice of the people of Artsakh and the irreversible path toward political
freedom, democracy and a society based on national and universal values.
This is the common path of Armenia, Artsakh and all Armenians. We are going
to pass it together," Sarkisian said in his letter.
Armenia's Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian, in a written statement,
welcomed the election.
"With these elections the people of Artsakh once again proved their
determination to decide their fate through democratic means," said
Nalbandian.
"I don't think that any democratic country can challenge the need for and
importance of forming governments through democratic elections," added
Nalbandian.
"With these elections the people of Artsakh once again proved their resolve
to build their future in a democratic way," concluded the foreign minister's
statement.

Co-Chairmen Acknowledge Need for Karabakh Elections

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The Minsk Group co-chairman meet with President Bako Sahakian earlier this
month in Stepanakert
In a statement following Thursday's presidential elections in the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the American, French and Russian co-chairmen of
the OSCE Minsk Group acknowledged the "need for the de facto authorities in
[Nagorno-Karabakh] to try to organize democratically the public life of
their population with such a procedure."
"However, the Co-Chairs note that none of their three countries, nor any
other country, recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent and sovereign
state," said the co-chairmen in a joint statement Friday.
"The Co-Chairs stress that the procedures of July 19 in no way prejudge the
final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh or the outcome of the ongoing
negotiations to bring a lasting and peaceful settlement to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," added the statement.
This is the first time that the co-chairmen have stressed the need for
democratic processes in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. During the last
presidential vote in 2007, the co-chairmen warned that "the upcoming
so-called presidential elections in Nagorno-Karabakh have already caused an
increase in tensions."

ANCA Welcomes Congressional Statement Praising Karabakh Elections

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Rep. Frank Pallone
WASHINGTON-Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Ed Royce (R-CA) congratulated the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) on its
July 19th presidential elections, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America.
"We join with  Representatives Pallone and Royce in commending the people of
Nagorno Karabakh as they exercise their right to choose their own government
through democratic elections," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
"As we reflect on the Artsakh vote, we are reminded of the words of our own
late President John F. Kennedy, who, on the day of his inauguration said:
'We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom.'"
In a statement issued earlier today, Rep. Pallone noted, "As the Co-Chair of
the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I wish to extend my
congratulations to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic on their exercise of
democratic presidential elections.  The presidential elections held on July
19, 2012 are another important day in the history of independence and
democratic freedom for the people of Artsakh.  It is heartening to see their
continued dedication to peaceful democracy.
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Rep. Ed Royce
"On September 2, 1991 the Nagorno Karabakh Republic declared the formation
of an independent, democratic republic.  On December 10, 1991 a referendum
on the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic took place and was
overwhelmingly approved. I am pleased the Republic continues to hold regular
parliamentary and presidential elections that have previously been viewed as
free and fair by international observers," continued Rep. Pallone.
"These elections represent the strength of the democratic process in the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic and are a testament to the commitment of the
people in Artsakh to the Republic's sovereignty.  As Co-Chair of the
Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus I am committed to promoting the
democratic independence of Nagorno Karabakh and will continue to support the
rightful exercise of self-determination which contributes to regional
stability and development," concluded Rep. Pallone.
Rep. Royce concurred, noting "I commend the people of Nagorno-Karabakh for
holding peaceful and honest elections. Throughout the years we have seen a
trend of its electoral system working in proper fashion and the most recent
election maintains that precedent. Voting embodies a functioning democracy,
I applaud all in Nagorno-Karabakh for putting democracy into action."
According to NKR Central Election Commission, 73% of voters came out for the
fifth presidential elections of the country on Thursday, during which Bako
Sahakian was re-elected for a second five-year term.  Some 110 international
observers converged on the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to monitor the vote,
including observers from Armenia, former Soviet republics, the EU and the
US.
Among the American observers was former Rhode Island Attorney General
Patrick C. Lynch who, upon arrival in Artsakh on the eve of the elections,
congratulated "the government of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic for their
commitment to a transparent and fair election. I look forward to
participating in this democratic process."