TSARUKIAN ALLY DISPUTES LOCAL ELECTION DEFEAT
By Astghik Bedevian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
March 30 2007
A political ally of businessman Gagik Tsarukian has asked an Armenian
court to annul the official results of a weekend mayoral election
in the southern town of Armavir that was controversially won by a
candidate of the governing Republican Party (HHK).
Arayik Aghababian, a regional leader of Tsarukian’s Prosperous Armenia
Party (BHK), was narrowly defeated by Armavir’s incumbent Mayor Ruben
Khlghatian in a first-ever election face-off between Armenia’s two
largest establishment parties.
His defeat came as a serious setback for the BHK and its top leader,
who has spent heavily on Aghababian’s election campaign. It could
also have implications for the party’s performance in the May 12
parliamentary elections.
Aghababian refused to concede defeat, alleging widespread vote
irregularities. However, he failed to lodge any formal complaints to
the local election commission and took legal action instead. "I wasn’t
sure the commission would meet my demands," he explained on Friday.
Aghababian refused to detail the alleged irregularities which he
claims robbed him of victory in the town 30 kilometers southwest
of Yerevan. "We will publicize everything during court hearings,"
he told RFE/RL. "I don’t want to reveal secrets to you right now."
According to the official results, Khlghatian garnered almost 53
percent of the vote, against Aghababian’s 43 percent. The mayor,
who is affiliated with the HHK, insists that he won fair and square.
The HHK and the BHK are seen as the top frontrunners in the unfolding
Armenian parliamentary race. The latter is looking to capitalize on its
wealthy leader’s vast financial resources, while the Republicans, led
by Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian, are expected to make the most of
their control of most local governments. The BHK is increasingly viewed
by commentators as the new power base of President Robert Kocharian.