Election-related Legal Opinions and Comments

These comments follow the previous work by the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR on the Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia. This analysis is specifically based on the two most recent recommendations and the draft law amending the Electoral Code, namely: • Joint Recommendations on the Electoral Law and the Electoral Administration in Armenia by OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission from 17 December 2003, CDL-AD(2003)021 (further referred to as Joint Recommendations); • Additional Considerations on the Electoral Law and Electoral Administration in Armenia based on the roundtable on electoral reform held in Yerevan between 24/27 February 2004 by Michael Krennerich, Owen Masters and Jessie Pilgrim (Additional Considerations); • Draft Law on Amending and Supplementing the Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia, submitted by Mr Torossian, version of 21 July 2004 (CDL(2004)074).

This assessment of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan” (The Election Law) is provided by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). The assessment is based on an unofficial English translation of the text. Any legal review conducted on the basis of translated text may be affected by the quality of the translation.

These recommendations are not exhaustive and must be read in conjunction with previous observation reports issued by the PACE and OSCE/ODIHR as well as with previous joint assessments prepared by the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR that contained more comprehensive recommendations. Special attention should be paid to the administration of elections as it has been indicated in election observation reports of OSCE/ODIHR, PACE, CLRAE and other international observers. This document does not supersede or replace recommendations contained in previous reports that should be given due consideration.