PRESS TV, Iran
May 12 2007

Key Armenian parliamentary poll
Sat, 12 May 2007 05:18:59

Armenians go to the polls Saturday hungry for change in what is
being billed as a litmus test for democracy in this impoverished
ex-Soviet country.

Surveys show an overwhelming majority of Armenians support radical
reform, but polls predict pro-government parties will come out ahead
in the parliamentary election.

The vote is seen as a key test of democracy in the small mountainous
republic wedged between Turkey and Iran.

More than 20 opposition parties are running and analysts say these
divisions have scuttled chances of defeating two pro-government
parties — the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HKK) and the
Prosperous Armenia Party headed by millionaire former World Arm
Wrestling Champion Gagik Tsarukian.

Opposition leaders claim the vote will be rigged and are already
planning street demonstrations on Sunday to pressure the government
to overturn the results.

About 2.3 million of Armenia’s three million people are registered to
vote in elections for 131 seats in the National Assembly.

Hundreds of local and international observers will monitor the vote,
including more than 300 from the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe.

The election is seen as a dress rehearsal for a presidential vote due
next year after President Robert Kocharian steps down at the end of
his second term.

The HKK, led by Kocharian’s chosen successor Prime Minister Serzh
Sarkisian, is widely expected to take first place.

Kocharian has called on voters to support pro-government parties,
warning of instability if the opposition came to power.

Polls open Saturday at 0300 GMT and close at 1500 GMT, with
preliminary results expected within 24 hours.