Vartan Oskanian from Prosperous Armenia concerned about violations at Yerevan council of elders election

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. Vartan Oskanian, who is Yerevan mayor candidate from Prosperous Armenia party, said he is concerned about the signals on violations during today’s Council of Elders election.

He voted at N9/23 polling station. 

The polling stations will close at 20:00. Some 816,475 constituents are registered in the electoral lists.

“Of course, I am concerned about the violations which are signaled to our headquarter, and the information disseminated by media sources,” Oskanian said. 

He clarified some signals refer to “unexplained activity” at some polling stations since the morning, as well as queue, and distribution of colorful pens. 

He also said groups of people are transported in mini-buses to the polling stations. 

“Nevertheless, I will still restrain from giving any assessments till the end of the poll,” he said and added he had voted for the future of Armenia.

 “I think we have realized during this month that this election is very important for the republic, it can give an opportunity to make changes.”

He also informed Prosperous Armenia Party is cooperating with all the oppositional political forces to minimize the violations. 

Araqelutyun (Mission), Prosperous Armenia, Armenian National Congress, Orinats Yerkir, Republican, ARF Danshanktsutyun parties as well as “Barev, Yerevan” (Hello, Yerevan) bloc are registered in the electoral list. 

Incumbent Mayor Taron Margaryan tops the electoral list of the ruling Republican Party (195 candidates). Chief of Emergency Situations Ministry Armen Yeritsyan is a candidate from Orinats Yerkir (105 candidates). Former Foreign Minister of Armenia Vartan Oskanian represents Prosperous Armenia party (194), foreign Mayor of Yerevan Vahagn Khachatryan-Armenian National Congress (42), parliamentary faction head Armen Rustamyan- ARF Dashnaktsutyun (65) and deputy head of Heritage party Armen Martirosyan tops the electoral list of “Hello, Yerevan!” bloc (64). Economist Mesrop Arakelyan comes up as Araqelutyun party (29) chief candidate.

The Council of Elders is made up of 65 members who are elected through party lists. If a party or a bloc gains 50% of the vote, the top candidate of the list automatically becomes Yerevan Mayor. Otherwise, Mayor will be elected by the Council members. The minimal threshold for parties is 6%, for blocs-8%.—0-