Deutsche Presse-Agentur
May 12, 2007 Saturday 6:12 PM EST

ROUNDUP: Allegations of vote rigging in Armenian elections

DPA POLITICS Armenia Elections ROUNDUP: Allegations of vote rigging
in Armenian elections Yerevan
Polls closed in the parliamentary elections in the
Caucasus Republic of Armenia Saturday amidst claims of vote rigging
from the opposition parties, the Interfax news agency reported.

Turnout was reported to be 55 per cent in the elections in which
President Robert Kocharian hoped to receive sufficiently strong
support for his party in the new parliament.

The Central Election Commission said it had received formal
complaints said that it had received several formal complaints which
were being investigated, the reports said.

Aram Karapetian, the chairman of the New Time opposition party
accused the government of using its political machine for one-sided
propoganda in favour of government parties.

Nearly 2.3 million people were entitled to cast their ballots for
the new parliament.

The party of the Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian was considered a
favourite. The pro-Russian politician is a possible successor to
President Kocharian who, in terms of the constitution, may not stand
as a candidate in presidential elections in January.

The pro-Western opposition has expressed concern that the
manipulation of parliamentary elections through falsifications, could

result in large demonstrations in Yerevan.

On election day, opposition members reported the buying of votes
in several regions of the country.

Active political party life prevails, at least on paper, in
Armenia, with 21 parties vying for the 131 seats in parliament.
May 1207 1812 GMT

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress