, Jan. 11 -- Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Ivars Ijabs on Sunday said these historic elections - referendum and national election - will be crucial to bolster democratic institutions through the ballot box and laid emphasis on participation of all social groups and credible turnout of voters for exercising their democratic rights.

"Hence it will be important that the polls are conducted peacefully and in a credible and transparent manner. My hope is that our work here will also contribute to public confidence and trust in the electoral process," he told reporters at during a media briefing at a city hotel.

Two days after the elections, on February 14, the EU EOM will issue a preliminary state...