Armenian Police receive 70 reports about alleged vote violations

YEREVAN, February 18. / ARKA /. Armenia’s Police said they received seventy reports about violations during today presidential election.  Tatul Petrosyan, head of the Legal Department of the Police, said to reporters that twenty-five reports were received in the capital and forty-five from the regions. He said 22 reports were about alleged election bribery.

According to him, at this moment the police were examining the reports. He also said two criminals cases were opened into reported violations. Both involve attempts to vote for other persons. Petrosyan said  the police were monitoring all media outlets, including  online publications.

The highest post in the country was contested by seven candidates. The top contender was Serzh Sargsyan, who is chairman of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA). Other candidates were Heritage party chairman Raffi Hovannisian, leader of Freedom party, former prime minister Hrant Bagratyan, former foreign minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Arman Melikyan, National Self-Determination Union party head Paruyr Hayrikyan, Radio Hay director Andrias Ghukasyan and literature expert Vardan Sedrakyan.  A total of 2, 505, 980 people were entitled to vote. The final results will be announced seven days after the election. -0-