Parliament discusses issue of counting commission

The Armenian parliament held a special sitting today to discuss amendments in the draft on the formation of the Counting Commission.

We would remind you that the special sitting was convened because 5 out of the 6 factions – Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), ARFD, Armenian National Congress (HAK), Heritage and Orinats Yerkir (OEK) factions - refused to participate in work of the National Assembly’s Counting Commission.

Chairman of the Counting Commission, deputy of Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) faction Sukias Avetisian said they made a proposal to increase the number of commission members from 11 to 13, giving 7 seats to HHK, 2 to BHK, and a seat to each of the other factions.

“Mr. Avetisian, why do you propose setting up a commission of 13 deputies, and not, for example, 17? Does that number sound better?” the secretary of BHK faction Ms. Naira Zohrabian asked S. Avetisian. In her words, each proposal should be substantiated.
S. Avetisian replied that substantiation is one thing, but they intend to ensure effective work of the parliament. “That is why we proposed that change,” he noted.

ARFD deputy Aghvan Vardanian asked for his part why the seats of HHK are constantly increased in the commission, while the number of seats for other factions remains the same. S. Avetisian replied that HHK should have a majority in all the commissions.
“We could discuss all the proposals. Under Article 24 of the NA Rules of Procedure, we don’t set up a new commission, but increase the membership of the current one to ensure proper work of the National Assembly,” S. Avetisian said.