At the moment, according to the Central Election Committee (CEC) of Armenia, 5 international and 9 local organizations apply for monitoring the presidential elections in Armenia scheduled for February 18, 2012.

According to the CEC official website, The International Expert Center for Electoral Systems (ICES), OSCE/ODIHR, PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe), and the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly (the CIS observation mission) have registered as international observers.

In addition, 9 local monitoring organizations  have been registered: Vanadzor office of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly (63 observers), “Democratic and Electoral Processes” NGO (2 observers), “Armenian Center for Democratic Education-CIVITAS” (77 observers), “Electoral Systems” Center (60 observers), “Dilnet Service” (71 observers), “Choice Is Yours” (172 observers), Martuni Women's Community Council (MWCC) (285 observers), “Ability and Development for Civil Society” NGO (61), “Harmony” (470 observers).

Note that on February 18, the Presidential Elections in Armenia are going to be held. The Progressive Armenia and Armenian National Congress are not going to take part in the elections, they neither appointed a candidate, nor support any of the registered ones.

8 candidates have been registered: the frontrunner, incumbent President and the leader of Republican Party of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, the leader of “Freedom” party, former Armenian PM Hrant Bagratyan, the leader of “Heritage” party and former Armenian FM Raffi Hovhanisyan, leader of Union for National Self-Determination Paruyr Hayrikyan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arman Melikyan, epos scientist, non-partisan Vardan Sedrakyan, political scientist Andrias Ghukasyan and leader of “National Agreement” party Aram Harutyunyan.

The pre-election campaign is beginning on January 21.