Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR)
June 28, 2004

10 NOMINEES FOR MUNICIPALITIES

June 24 was the last date of candidate nomination for the municipal
governments. The chairman of the NKR Central Election Committee
Sergey Davtian informed that for the 202 posts of head of community
404 persons were nominated, and for the post of member of the
community council 1707. 10 persons were nominated for the post of
mayor of Stepanakert. They are Hamik Avanessian, mayor of
Stepanakert; Pavel Najarian, does not work; Vazghen Hayrapetian,
lawyer, NKR Union of Lawyers; Iosif Adamian, president of `Iosif and
Sons’ Ltd.; Sergey Grigorian, executive director of `Stepanakert
Industrial Factory’ State CJSC; Shahmar Atanessian, does not work;
Vladimir Sarghissian, architect, `Narineh’ Ltd.; Edward Aghabekian,
chairman of the NKR National Assembly permanent committee for social
questions; Garik Jhangirian, head of Stepanakert Tax Department;
Hrant Melkumian, head of the control service of the NKR government
administration. From June 25 to July 18 the registration of the
candidates will be done, election campaign will last from July 20 to
August 7. The election to the municipalities will take place on
August 8. According to S. Davtian, during the nomination of the
candidates they noticed interest among the population. In many
villages more than two people were nominated. In the regional center
of Askeran 11 candidates were nominated, in the village Sos of the
region Martouni 5, in the village Aygestan of the region of Hadrout
5, and 3 candidates in the small village Ughtasar. In reference to
the statement of the chairman of the CEC of Azerbaijan that official
Baku will prevent the participation of international observers in the
elections to the municipalities, Sergey Davtian mentioned that
inviting observers is the business of the NKR authorities and not of
the chairman of the CEC of Azerbaijan.

NAIRA HAYRUMIAN