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Constitution Referendum


Eloren

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Hi all,

 

In less than a week, Armenians will have to vote for the new contitution text. I haven't read everything in it, but overall, in my opinion, I find it a good thing. A good change that could help Armenia a little.

 

What do you think?

Do you think many armenians are interested and are going to vote?

Do you think it is going to be accepted?

Do you think it will bring good changes to the RoA?

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I think it will be accepted (legally or with the traditional armenian "push") and it would be a positive think. no big changes will be witnessed but nevertheless, it is a step forward towards democratization (officially that is... but it's better than nothing, no?)

 

A.

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93.3% of Electors in 1947 Polling Stations Voted for Constitutional Reforms

 

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to the returns of the vote in 1947 polling stations in Armenia and abroad, 1 503 567 out 2 302 278 constituents took part in the referendum, i.e. 65,3%. Out of 1 403 430 (93,3%) voted for passing the constitutional amendments, while 80 944 (5,4%) were against.

 

It should also be noted that the number of polling stations in Armenia totals 1878, while there are 44 stations in forty cities of 28 countries. For the referendum to be recognized as taken place it is necessary that 767 thousand persons take part in it. This number makes 1/3 of the total number of constituency in Armenia (i.e. 2 301 828). The CEC has ordered the printing of 2 million 334 thousand 300 ballots for the referendum.

! Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to «PanARMENIAN.Net».

 

Ok so it's with great relief that i learned the referendum was a "success". Armenians are ready for changes it seems. This constitution could be a good step towards democracy.

 

However, there was a lot of fraud during the elections and we don't really know the true results.

 

What bothers me most is the reaction of the opposition that is calling for a "revolution".. Yesterday's rally was quite peaceful but where is it going to lead?

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A regular opposition rally held at the square in front of the Depository of Ancient Manuscripts of Matenadaran is already over. PanARMENIAN.Net reporter told the rally was attended by some 3 thousand people. The next rally is scheduled for November 29. Leader of Hanrapetutyun (Republic) party Aram Z. Sargsyan called upon the nation to undertake drastic steps, however he did not clarify what steps it can be. Probably, a march towards the presidential residence will be organized.

! Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to «PanARMENIAN.Net».

 

The problem is, like it was for the french referendum lately... The opposition is not focusing on the future of Armenia, nore on the Constitution. It's more a political war with the president. They are not saying no to the constitution, but they are saying no to the President.. Politicians should focus more on the Nation.

The referendum is not about "Do you like the president?", it's about "Do you care about the future of your nation?".

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so 1.5 million people cast their votes. I am pretty sure I am among them, and most probably I voted 'Yes' as well.

 

93% sounds like the Brezhnev era when there was a single candidate during the elections and s/he would get elected by that much of a margin.

 

Didn't Saddam Hussein get elected president of Iraq in 2001 by such a margin as well?

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I have a few comments.

 

I'm happy the constitutional amendments passed. But I wish I could trust the results. There were so many reported irregularities.

 

About double citizenship. The new amendments will go into effect Nov. 27, 2007.

 

Also, the constitution only has one line about dual citizenship, saying it is now accepted, but that the terms of it will be laid out later by the National Assembly. So, nothing has been decided except the fact that dual citizenship is no longer per se banned.

Edited by Gor-Gor
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Here is a link to a PDF file that goes through many of the changes. It lists the current version, the proposed amended version, and an explanation for the need for the amendment.

 

If you can read Armenian (and can stand the depression-inducing orthography), here it is: http://www.yerkir.am/arm/sahmanadrutiunNew.pdf

 

Keep in mind this is from Yerkir newspaper, ARF's official paper in Yerevan. ARF is pro-government.

 

There is also an English breakdown somewhere...

Edited by Gor-Gor
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Here is a link to a PDF file that goes through many of the changes. It lists the current version, the proposed amended version, and an explanation for the need for the amendment.

 

If you can read Armenian (and can stand the depression-inducing orthography), here it is: http://www.yerkir.am/arm/sahmanadrutiunNew.pdf

 

Keep in mind this is from Yerkir newspaper, ARF's official paper in Yerevan. ARF is pro-government.

 

There is also an English breakdown somewhere...

 

I don't want to read all that for now, Eastern Armenia is too much consuming for me, gives me a headache. But I am interested with the said sections regarding double citizenship and the thing about the right of changing frontiers. Can you tell me where to check?

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Eastern Armenian is not my native tongue either. For me, it's not the dialect that bothers me and gives me a headache -- it's the spelling!!! Anyway.

 

The part about double citizenship is on page 4, halfway down. It's a new section to be added to article 30. Here is my translation:

 

"The rights and responsibilites of those persons with dual citizenship are to be delineated by law."*

 

Following that, it gives a few sentences explaining why we should ratify this amendment. It says that with 70% of Armenians living outside the country, it's not fair to preclude Diasporans the right to citizenship. It says that Israel and Ireland also have large diasporas, but they have not forbidden dual citizenship. It ends by saying this article will be a new and unprecedented step in uniting the Armenian nation.

 

As for the part about right to change fronteirs, I'm not quite sure what you mean...

 

 

 

* I am not a native EA speaker -- so I don't know whether "sahmanvoom" is to be translated as the present tense or the future tense.

Edited by Gor-Gor
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