Elections in Nagorno-Karabakh

Santa Cruz County Clerk- Registrar of Voters, Gail Pellerin, had the honor of observing the parliamentary election in Nagorno-Karabakh, a land-locked republic in Azerbaijan with primarily Armenian citizens that is trying to establish itself as an independent country.

The May 3rd election had many similarities to elections conducted in California, and great efforts were made to ensure that the election was transparent, accurate, secure, and fair. However, since the group she was observing for had accepted the invitation to observe the NKR elections, Azerbaijan made it clear they would arrest them if they stepped foot in their country. Gail's group was asked about this, and they remarked that they would be happy to go and observe the election in Azerbaijan if they wanted to invite them. Of course, they did not get an invitation to observe their election. Interesting insight from Gail and her opportunity to observe elections abroad.