Dashnaktsutyun appeals to constituents to vote on Armenia’s election day but not for ruling party candidate

YEREVAN, February 15./ARKA/. Supreme Body of Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun released a statement on Friday appealing to the constituents to go to polling stations on February 18 but not vote for the ruling party candidate. 

“We call upon you to vote on February 18 so as not to allow the discredit of this institute and use of  your voice for the power reproduction,” according to the document.

The party noted it is possible to build democratic Armenia only through democratic elections. 

“As an oppositional political force we appeal to you to vote on the Election day  not for the candidate of the ruling party, but do it honestly and willingly or to make the bulletin null and void,” Dashnaktsutyun said in a statement.

The document also highlights the reasons for  why ARFD didn’t nominate any candidate are well-known.

“Our efforts to form a single political agenda and a single candidate nomination failed. In these conditions it would be useless to participate in the events, the outcomes of which had already been predetermined. The election process is also a proof for the “quality” of the elections,” according to the statement.

Nevertheless, the party said the life after February 18 will continue and the concerning issues will still remain on agenda. 

“We believe the Armenian society will find the strength for key changes and sooner or later will make free, fair and competitive elections as something possible… Dashnaktsutyun will continue the struggle to change the atmosphere of distrust and despair, to put the country to the right development path ensuring good-quality life for the peoples,” ARFD said in a statement. 

Presidential elections of Armenia are scheduled for February 18. 

The following candidates will be leading the race:  current president Serzh Sargsyan, former prime minister and leader of Freedom party Hrant Bagratyan, former foreign minister and head of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian, famous Soviet dissident and leader of National Self-Determination party Paruyr Hayrikyan, former  foreign minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Arman Melikyan, political scientist and head of Radio Hay Andrias Ghukasyan, philologist Vardan Sedrakyan.  -0-