Opposition lawmaker says TV channels must secure pluralism ahead of elections

YEREVAN, January 23. /ARKA/. An Armenian parliament member urged today Armenian TV channels to ensure pluralism and provide an unbiased coverage of the views and positions of various political forces during the election campaign for next parliamentary elections slated for May, and above all, the views of the opposition. 

Anahit Bakhshyan from minority Zharangutyun (Heritage) faction said many TV stations promised to organize debates between the candidates, saying this format is very productive, because that is how the candidates are able to introduce their programs. Bakhshyan also stressed the importance of observing the law on freedom of speech. 

"No special conditions should be created for the opposition’s election campaigning. There are laws that apply to everyone, and what we want that they are not restricted or broken. We want a campaigning without artificial barriers" she said.

A parliament member from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, Sukias Avetisyan, also stressed the importance of respecting freedom of speech during the campaigning.

"Our legislation provides for a level playing field for all political forces, and to date the Heritage has no reasons to complain about," said Avetisyan.

The National Assembly of Armenia consists of 131 deputies (41 deputies are chosen under the majoritarian election system and 90 under the proportional system). The current parliament cosmists of five fractions, three of them - the Republican Party of Armenia, the Prosperous Armenia and Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) make the ruling majority. The minority parties are Heritage and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). The Republican Party controls 63 seats. -0-