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On June 10 the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs Hovhannes Sahakyan met with Axel Fischer and Alan Meale, the Co-Rapporteurs on Armenia of the PACE Monitoring Committee.

The Co-Rapporteurs’ aim was to listen to the MPs’ views on the RA constitutional reforms, the necessity of the legislative amendments occurred as a result of them, as well as the provision of the protection of the persons voting against the constitutional reforms.

Touching upon the preparatory works ahead of the referendum, Hovhannes Sahakyan has noted that the most important issue today on the political agenda of the country is, certainly, the problem of the constitutional reforms and the referendum. According to him, the Committee implements preparatory works in order the referendum is more effective and without shocks. He noted that the parliament had already passed the draft law envisaging amendments to the RA law “On Referendum” and amended it in compliance with the RA Electoral Code. Mr Sahakyan informed that the voted draft law will provide not only the voting for the constitutional reforms, but also holding of the campaign in equal conditions.

Speaking about the implemented amendments he has informed that for the forces against and for equal time of free TV air, free halls by the communities for the campaigns and venues designed for sticking slogans is provided, as well as an opportunity has been given to the parliamentary factions and deputy groups to have proxies in the local districts during the elections.

Referring to the process of the RA constitutional reforms, Hovhannes Sahakyan has informed that the professional group works on the concept provisions which has been approved and confirmed by the President of the country. He has assured that the professional group phase by phase fulfills the problems. In case it is ready it will be again submitted to the RA President, after it is approved by him it will be brought forth to the National Assembly, and within three months the NA political forces may present their views on the document.

Mr Sahakyan has also noted that when the document is submitted to the parliament, the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs will organize parliamentary hearings giving an opportunity to the extra-parliamentary forces and the NGOs to take part in the discussion of the draft law circulating in the parliament. And ahead of it small monitoring groups have been sent to Shirak and Lori marzes to clarify the degree of awareness of the society.

Talking about the necessity of the legislative amendments occurred as a result of constitutional reforms Hovhannes Sahakyan has stated that a sufficient number of laws are to be amended.