ERA OF POLITICAL SCARECROWS PASSES: WE ENTER NEW STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT
OF POLITICAL CULTURE, SOCIOLOGIST AHARON ADIBEKIAN SAYS

YEREVAN, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. In the consequence of the opposition’s
not uniting, that’s, choosing a wrong policy, 25-27% of the electors’
votes, which will not be represented at the newly elected National
Assembly, "vanished," head of the Sociometer sociological center
Aharon Adibekian stated at the May 14 press conference. He mentioned
that almost all the foresights made on the basis of results of the
pre-electoral sociological surveys held by the center came true.

According to the recent sociological surveys the results of which it
is prohibited by the law to make public during the days preceding the
elections, the Republic Party of Armenia (RPA) was to get 55-60% of
the votes, and the rating of the Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous
Armenia) party was to fall, what was explained with the not realistic
fact of Bargavach Hayastan’s having 380 thousand members.

According to A. Adibekian’s estimation, the RPA victory is based on
the organization resource. In his words, it is provided by the great
representation at the local self-government bodies as well as by
having pre-electoral offices in almost all settlements. And, in
A. Adibekian’s opinion, the most part of the Bargavach Hayastan votes
was faltering ones who may change their opinion at the last moment and
vote for another party. In the sociologist’s words, results of those
surveys which were held in October and on May 5, prove it. According
to them, in October 80% of those surveyed were sure that Bargavach
Hayastan will make an absolute majority at the parliament, and on May
5 only 17% of those surveyed expressed that opinion.

In the sociologist’s opinion, social surveys unequivocally prove that
the Democratic Path party, People’s Party of Armenia would not enter
the parliament, and votes of the Azgayin Miabanutiun (National Unity),
Dashink (Alliance), United Labour Party "were abound 3%." "If heads of
political forces not entered the parliament, who expected at least 100
thousand votes, work correctly instead of arguing with me, would have
other results today," A. Adibekian said.

According to his estimation, electoral bribes and usage of
administrative resources in reality had a great role in the issue of
the elections results. "People take the electoral bribe, but give
their vote to those political forces which they prefer," he said.

"We entered a new stage of development of the political culture,
where, leaving aside the familiar "good boy" conception, rational
decisions are made rather cool-heartedly," A. Adibekian said, adding
that "era of political scarecrows passed, those people who has already
presented themselves in any sphere, enter the policy."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress