WASHINGTON, D.C. - Presidential elections in Armenia were generally well administered and characterized by a respect for fundamental freedoms, said U.S. State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland at the daily press briafing, Armenian News-NEWS.am reports.

“According to the preliminary results from the Central Election Commission, incumbent [Armenian] President Sargsian has won these elections by 58.64 percent. We support the conclusions of the OSCE ODIHR observer mission in their preliminary conclusions that the elections were generally well administered and characterized by a respect for fundamental freedoms, including those of assembly and expression,” she said.

Victoria Nuland also mentioned the ODIHR conclusion that the media fulfilled their legal obligation to provide balanced coverage and all contestants made use of their free air time.

“ODIHR was concerned about some lack of impartiality on the part of public administration officials and the misuse of administrative resources that resulted in a blurred distinction between the activities of the state and those of the ruling party. But in general, election day was calm and orderly and it was marked by undue – that in general, it was marked by a calm process,“ she added.

At the same time, spokesperson stressed that “there was some undue interference in the process, including by proxies representing the incumbent“ and that some serious violations “obviously need to be investigated.”