ELECTION CAMPAIGN WAS NOT FREE OF VIOLENT ACTS AND ELECTORAL BRIBES, "CHOICE IS YOURS" NGO STATES
Noyan Tapan
May 08 2007
YEREVAN, MAY 8, NOYAN TAPAN. "Despite a relatively quiet and balanced
election campaign, it was not free of some violent acts." Chairman of
"Choice is Yours" NGO Harutyun Hambartsumian stated this at the May
8 press conference.
Particularly, early in the morning of April 8 the pre-election
headquarters of candidate for deputacy Susanna Harutyunian in
Etchmiadzin was set on fire.
On April 11, supporters of Mushegh Petoyan, a nominee of the
"Prosperous Armenia" party at election district No 36, beat Vahan
Manukian and Smbat Poghosian, representatives of the pre-election
headquarters of Mkhitar Varagian, candidate at the same election
district No 36.
The meeting of Khoren Sargsian, candidate for deputacy at election
district No 24, with voters of Zolakar community in Martuni region,
was prevented by the community head Arman Ghazarian. Fighting broke
out, as a result of which 4 people received bodily injuries.
On April 20, a scuffle began at the pre-election headquarters of
Heghine Bisharian, nominee of the "Orinats Yerkir" party, located at
22 Bagratuniats Street, which resulted in the necessity for police
intervention.
The head of Areni community in Vayots Dzor marz banned the meeting the
"Heritage" party, saying that no one has the right to hold a meeting
in the community without warning him 5 days in advance.
On April 14, a village head in Syunik banned organization of propaganda
campaign by the "Orinats Yerkir" party at election district No 38.
H. Hambartsumian also said that during the election campaign, illegal
influence was exercised on voters by a number of parties and some
of their members – by giving electoral bribes to them in the form of
humanitarian and other aid.
Particularly, eyeglasses were distributed to voters on April 18 in
the pre-election headquarters of the "Prosperous Armenia" party in
Sarkavag Street and near the furniture store "Mek" in Yerevan. The
practice of distributing eyeglasses was also used by the Republican
Party of Armenia in election district No 17.
Candidate for deputacy Samvel Balasanian distributed fodder and
seeds to community residents in Akhurian. 50 kg of fodder and 45 kg
of barley seeds was provided for each vote.
Sergei Bagratian, nominee of the "Prosperous Armenia" party at election
district No 39, distributed flour, pancakes, coffee cups (under the
name of charity action) in several communities of Vayots Dzor marz
(Vayk, Malishka, Gomk).