STEPANAKERT.- The presidential elections in Nagorno-Karabakh can be characterized as perfect, an international observer said.

Member of the Canadian parliament Jim Karygiannis told Armenian News-NEWS.am he had visited 20-25 polling stations and had not noticed any violation.

“The elections are passing smoothly. There is no interference, the ballot boxes are filled” he said adding that he talked to the voters and members of the electoral committees who pointed out the high turnout and prefect elections.

He also said the election process corresponds to the international standards.

Asked about the blacklist issued by Azerbaijan for those who visit Nagorno-Karabakh without Baku’s permission, Karygiannis said he is happy to monitor the Karabakh presidential elections.

“I would be happy to receive an invitation from Azerbaijan to monitor their elections and see what is happening there,” he said.

The fifth presidential elections are underway Thursday at the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). Three non-party affiliate candidates are running in the NKR presidential elections. They are: incumbent NKR President Bako Sahakyan, Deputy Director Arkadi Soghomonyan of Academic Activities at the NKR capital Stepanakert Branch of State Agrarian University of Armenia, and NKR National Assembly member Vitali Balasanyan.