To Alexander Iskandaryan "Latin-American" methods of opposition are not justified in Armenia

YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS. The failure of Armenia's oppositional political powers during the Yerevan Council of Aldermen elections is not the result of these elections alone. The Director of "Caucasus" Institute, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan expressed this viewpoint during the press conference held on May 6. As reports "Armenpress" Alexander Iskandaryan stated: "This is a result of the political cycle lunched about 1,5 years ago, which passed through the parliamentary and presidential elections. It was impossible to expect the political power, which gained 7 percent, to receive 50 percent of the votes."

Among other things the political scientist noted that "Latin-American" methods of a attracting the voters for one time cannot operate in Armenia. Also Alexander Iskandaryan highlighted: "One must create a political environment, where the parties keep working not merely during the elections, but in the period between them as well."

In accordance with the preliminary results of 464 polling stations, the Republican Party of Armenia is leading with 235, 512 votes or 55,86 percent. "Prosperous Armenia" Party occupies the second place with 23,05 percent or 97,189 votes. “Prosperous Armenia” Party is followed by "Hello, Yerevan" bloc, which has received 8,47 percent or 35, 732 votes. "Armenian National Congress" has received 4,39 percent (18, 499 votes). Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun has 15,999 votes or 3,79 percent. "Rule of Law" received 3,73 percent or 15, 733 votes, and "Mission" Party has received 0,64 percent or 2692 votes.

The voting for the Yerevan Council of Aldermen Elections launched on May 5. At 08:00 am all the 464 polling stations were opened in 13 precincts. The campaign launched on April 7 and ended on May 3. The political forces struggled for 65 places in the Yerevan City Council of Aldermen. During the election campaign the seven political powers - Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), The Rule of Law, Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), Armenian National Congress (ANC), Mission Party, Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) and Hello, Yerevan – presented their programs to the citizens of Yerevan.

26 local and 1 international organizations conducted observation mission during the Yerevan City Council of Aldermen Elections. The final number of the Yerevan voters is 816 475, about 3000 of which are not citizens of the Republic of Armenia, but have the right to vote (refugees, people having special residency status and those, who have permanent and temporary residence status). The voting ended at 20:00, May 5. The preliminary results of the voting will be summed up at 20:00 on May 6. The final protocol will be completed on May 12, seven days after the voting day.