ELECTORAL BRIBES OF SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED IN ELECTORAL DISTRICT No 37, CANDIDATE SAMVEL HARUTYUNIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
May 16 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Samvel Harutyunian, non-partisan
candidate nominated by the majoritarian electoral system in electoral
district No 37 (Syunik), mayor of Goris in 1992-1994, takes the view
that supporters of Alexander Sargsian – brother of the prime minister
Serge Sargsian – committed many electoral violations at the May 12
parliamentary elections.

During a talk with NT correspondent, he noted that he managed to
organize an active election campaign, relying on intellectual,
moral and organizational resources but the "whole state structure"
was mobilized and "methods considered as criminally prosecuted"
were used against him.

In his opinion, any survey will show that he actually received no less
than 70% of votes, but it was officially announced that he received
13,600 votes, while A. Sargsian – about 20 thousand.

In his words, "several million dollars was distributed to voters before
the elections and on the election day – not only in settlements but
also at and in polling stations." "I was cynically told: "You may
also distribute bribes if you can." All administrative and force
resources were used, the pitiful method of threats was applied,"
the candidate noted, adding that many voters and persons empowered to
act for candidates and parties "were invited to the marzpet (regional
governor) and some other persons, and they were threatened."

Besides, according to S. Harutyunian, there were threats to dismiss
people from their jobs, to deprive them of pensions and benefits,
while two days before the elections, the marzpet of Syunik said in
the village of Shinuhayr: "If you don’t vote for the Republican Party
of Armenia and Alezander Sargsian, I’ll cut off your electricity,
water and gas supply."