Government Chief of Staff-Minister Davit Harutyunyan presented the shortcomings that were recorded when testing the technical equipment that electronically registered voters during the local elections which were conducted on February 12 in Semyonovka village of Gegharkunik Province, and in Vardanashen village of Armavir Province of Armenia (PHOTOS).

“The first group of problems is about oversight,” Harutyunyan said at a press conference on Friday. “For example, a red signal is shown during double-voting, whereas a yellow light is lit if it’s the wrong [election] precinct. There was a need for these signals to be amplified. At the observers’ suggestion, the light will be with a sound signal when lit.

“[Also,] the device does not read if the passport is with a scratch, or is worn-out. It was suggested that there should be an audio signal again.”

In his words, the experts have tasked to simplify the software, and the specialists are studying this proposal.  

“Studies in five directions have been conducted and, now, the works are in progress; I believe we will not have major problems,” added the Armenian official. “As of early March, 6,000 specialist candidates will start to be trained.”

The aforesaid devices were tested in Armenia for the first time.

The election for the National Assembly of Armenia is slated for April 2, and the respective campaign season will start on March 5.