Parties running for elections to Yerevan Council of Elders kick off their election campaigns

YEREVAN, August 23. /ARKA/. Thirteen political parties and one bloc, registered by Armenia's Central; Election Commission (CEC) to run for September 17 elections to the Yerevan Council of Elders (municipal assembly) are expected to kick off today their election campaigns that will last until 00:00 on September 15.

The elections are held under the proportional system, i.e., by party lists. The winning political party will nominate a candidate for the post of mayor.

The Republican Party of Armenia, the ARF/ Dashnaktsutyun and the Prosperous Armenia Party refused to participate in the elections.

According to a survey conducted by the Armenian office of Gallup International Association on July 27-31, no party in Armenia enjoys the trust of more than 15% of citizens. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party enjoys the support of only 13.3% of respondents.

The results of another survey conducted by the Armenian office of Gallup International Association from July 27 to August 5, show that more than 50% of Yerevan residents do not believe in fair election of the city mayor.

The powers of the current Council of Elders, elected on September 23, 2018, will expire on October 10 this year.

Yerevan’s previous mayor, Hrachya Sargsian, stepped down on March 17. The Armenian capital has since been effectively run by Tigran Avinian, a deputy mayor nominated by the ruling Civil Contract party for the vacant post.

According to various sources, other potential candidates for the post of mayor are former human rights defender Arman Tatoyan, David Khazhakyan from Bright Armenia party, Mane Tandilyan from the Country for Life party and Artak Zeynakian from the Hanrapetutyun (Republic) party --0—