Heritage party leader promises to set up new municipality if his election bloc wins the polls
05.05.2013,
15:35
Raffi Hovannisian, the leader of the opposition Heritage Party, which makes the core of Hello,Yerevan bloc, said today after casting his ballot in the city Council of Elders elections that Yerevan would have a completely new municipality if the will of its residents were implemented.
YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. Raffi Hovannisian, the leader of the opposition Heritage Party, which makes the core of Hello,Yerevan bloc, said today after casting his ballot in the city Council of Elders elections that Yerevan would have a completely new municipality if the will of its residents were implemented.
According to official data, Yerevan has 816,475 eligible voters. Hello, Yerevan bloc includes Heritage, the Democratic Way and the Labor Socialist parties.
"I voted for a new capital based on freedom and rights, as well as on the future welfare of the citizens. I wish good luck to all our competitors, and I think that we are going to register a good result in these elections, "Hovannisian told reporters.
Heritage leader declined comments on reported irregularities in the elections, suggesting that journalists convey them to his election office, promising also to speak about the polls at May 9 rally which Heritage will convene in Liberty Square.
The elections are contested by six registered parties and one bloc - the parties are Arakelutyun (Mission), Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia), the Armenian National Congress, Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law), the Republican Party of Armenia and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation/Dashnaktsutyun (ARF), as well as Hello, Yerevan bloc.
The list of the ruling Republican Party is toped by incumbent mayor Taron Margaryan. The list of Orinats Yerkir – by emergency minister Armen Yeritsyan. The list of Prosperous Armenia- by Former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian. The ANC list is headed by ex mayor Vahagn Khachatryan. The ARF list is topped by Armen Rustamyan. The slate of Hello, Yerevan - by deputy chairman of Heritage party Armen Martirosyan. The list of Arakelutyun is topped by Mesrop Arakelyan.
The Council of Elders is composed of 65 people, who are elected by proportional system (by party lists). If a party or a bloc gains more than 50% of the vote, the first number of the party list automatically becomes mayor of Yerevan. Otherwise, the mayor is to be elected by the Council of Elders. The right to nominate candidates for mayor belongs to the factions within the Council of Elders. The electoral threshold for parties is 6%, for party blocs is 8%. -0-
