Armenia’s President voted for more developing and comfortable Yerevan

YEREVAN, May 5./ARKA/. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and First Lady  Rita Sargsyan have already voted at N9/11 polling station at Yerevan Council of Elders election, Novosti-Armenia reported. 

Yerevan Council of Elders election is being held today in the capital. The polling stations will close at 20:00. Some 816,475 constituents are registered in the electoral lists.

“I have voted for the developing, better and more comfortable Yerevan, for the person and political force that have a clear idea of what role the  mayor and Municipality have in the governance structure and political life of Armenia,” President told reporters after voting.  

He didn’t express his expectations, however, stating the final results will be clear after the polling stations close later today. 

Araqelutyun (Mission), Prosperous Armenia, Armenian National Congress, Orinats Yerkir, Republican, ARF Danshanktsutyun parties as well as “Barev, Yerevan” (Hello, Yerevan) bloc are registered in the electoral list. 

Incumbent Mayor Taron Margaryan tops the electoral list of the ruling Republican Party (195 candidates). Chief of Emergency Situations Ministry Armen Yeritsyan is a candidate from Orinats Yerkir (105 candidates). Former Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan represents Prosperous Armenia party (194), foreign Mayor of Yerevan Vahagn Khachatryan-Armenian National Congress (42), parliamentary faction head Armen Rustamyan- ARF Dashnaktsutyun (65) and deputy head of Heritage party Armen Martirosyan tops the electoral list of “Barev, Yerevan” (Hello, Yerevan) bloc (64). Economist Mesrop Arakelyan comes up as Araqelutyun party (29) chief candidate.

The Council of Elders is made up of 65 members who are elected through party lists. If a party or a bloc gains 50% of the vote, the top candidate of the list automatically becomes Yerevan Mayor. Otherwise, Mayor will be elected by the Council members. The minimal threshold for parties is 6%, for blocs-8%.  -0-