Gyumri, April 21 – The “Voice of Peace” musical festival, which took place on April 19, 2026, in Vardanants Square, Gyumri, has become the subject of controversy following reports of alleged forced participation of employees from state-affiliated educational institutions. The “Akanates” observation mission has documented these concerns, highlighting potential violations of democratic principles.
Allegations of Directed Participation
According to information gathered by the “Akanates” mission, staff members of pre-school educational institutions under the jurisdiction of Akhuryan community were instructed to ensure their mandatory presence at the event. Reports indicate that employees were also required to arrange their transportation using personal vehicles.
Further, the mission received information regarding similar directives issued to other educational institutions. Representatives of the ruling Civil Contract party’s Gyumri office allegedly provided instructions to the principals of Akhuryan community schools to ensure the participation of their pedagogical staff in the concert, which featured Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s “Varchabend” band.
Violation of Democratic Principles
“Akanates” emphasizes that the use of political leverage to influence the will of employees in educational and pre-school institutions undermines the equality of political competition and contradicts the principles of democratic processes. The mission highlights that the OSCE/ODIHR defines the abuse of administrative resources as an unjustified advantage gained by certain parties or candidates through the use of their official position or connections with state structures to influence election results.
Call for Free and Fair Elections
The “Akanates” observation mission reiterates its call to all political forces and responsible individuals to refrain from pressuring or indirectly influencing citizens’ free expression. The mission’s objective is to promote free and fair elections and the integrity of electoral processes through impartial public oversight. “Akanates” operates independently, adhering to the principle of impartiality and refraining from any actions that could be interpreted as support, propaganda, or counter-propaganda for or against any party or alliance participating in elections.
Background of the Event
The “Voice of Peace” festival was organized as part of broader cultural initiatives, and the participation of the Prime Minister’s band added a political dimension to the event. Such events, while intended to foster community engagement, must adhere to principles of voluntary participation to maintain public trust and democratic integrity.
The allegations of directed participation raise questions about the fairness of political campaigning and the separation of state resources from party interests, especially in the context of upcoming elections.
The “Akanates” mission’s findings underscore the ongoing challenges in ensuring genuinely free and fair electoral environments, where citizens can participate without undue influence or coercion.
The mission will continue to monitor such events and report on any further instances of administrative resource abuse, aiming to uphold the standards of democratic conduct.
