Minister: 2013 presidential election to be most democratic in Armenia’s history

YEREVAN, January 16. /ARKA/. The 2013 presidential election will be most democratic in Armenia’s history, Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan said Wednesday at a seminar for law enforcement officers.

“I am convinced that this election will be most stainless and democratic and that it will leave behind all the previous elections,” he was quoted by Novosti-Armenia News Agency as saying at the seminar that was focused on investigating election irregularities and corruption.

The minister pointed out three conditions which are necessary for conducting fair and just elections – a proper electoral code, certain levels of political and juridical culture in the society and the authorities’ good will. He said that these conditions are ensured more than ever before.  

Tovmasyan stressed that Armenia’s electoral code is better than some European countries, and the authorities’ good will is proven by their electoral reforms.  

He added that some expressions, such as “an unauthorized or prohibited rally”, are melting away from the everyday vocabulary, and no room for speech restrictions are left now, in the Internet era.

“Democratic elections are necessary for Armenia and its citizens,” he said.   

Serzh Sargsyan, the Armenian president in office; Hrant Bagratyan, a former prime minister and the leader of Freedom party; Raffi Hovhannisian, a former foreign minister and the leader of Zharangutiun (Heritage) party; Paruyr Hayrikyan, a prominent Soviet-era dissident and the head of the National Self-Determination Party; Arman Melikyan, a former foreign minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Andrias Ghukasyan, a political analyst and head of Radio Hay; Vardan Sedrakyan, a specialist in epics, and Aram Harutyunyan, leader of National Consent party will compete for presidency. 

The polling day is February 18. -0-