THE PECULIARITIES OF THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NKR

DAVIT BABAYAN.

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
09-06-200

It is not a secret that the stir in the political sphere is related to
the upcoming presidential election. The issue is widely discussed
especially in the media. It is natural, and this atmosphere is typical
of any country in the pre-election period. The political sphere has
stepped into a new and dynamic stage of development. For the first time
the major political forces of NKR, which are represented to the
parliament, support a common candidate ` Bako Sahakian. Nevertheless,
his nomination was a civil initiative, which enlarges the frame of
support for the common candidate making him the people’s candidate.
Hence, in this election there are no competing pro-government and
oppositionist parties and forces. This scenario of developments
guarantees the victory of the common candidate. On the other hand, a
new tendency is outlining, namely the politicization of some NGOs which
are engaged in information activities, and their activity in the
pre-election period. In addition, it is evident that the NKR deputy
foreign minister also has support. It is notable that a number of
Armenia-based experts endorse Mayilian, namely Igor Muradian and the
former advisor to NKR president Manvel Sargisian. This is new to the
history of elections in Karabakh. On the one hand, the active
participation of NGOs in the political life of the country, in
particular, the pre-election struggle, on the other hand, the
participation of analysts from the outside (who are not citizens of NKR
and do not live in our republic) is evidence that democratic
institutions and a civil society are developing in the country.
However, the NGOs which take an active part in politics thereby focus
less on the main strand of their activities, which impedes the
development of the civil sector in the country. Hence, a number of NGOs
act as opposition parties. Meanwhile, the activities of the foreign
analysts performing the role of a think tank (people who have grudge on
the government of Karabakh or separate members of it) pose real danger
by pursuing their personal aims and presenting these aims as a national
priority. Hence, they use the people of Karabakh and the reputation of
our country to take revenge on separate individuals. In this context,
another interesting component of this election campaign is that the
NGOs acting as opposition protect another candidate, Masis Mayilian,
from the government. This is a novelty in the history of elections of
our country. Mayilian’s nomination is a predetermined step. By the way,
a few months ago I forecast in one of my articles that a centrist
individual will be named as the candidate of the opposition. My
forecast came true. How about the personality of the candidate? First
of all, prospects for progress. At first sight, it may appear strange
but who will miss the chance and stake all? But only at first sight. In
reality, this candidate can kill two hares with one shot. First, by
rejecting this chance he may appear to the public not just someone who
aspires to power but a politician who worries for the nation, which
will apart from all enable the forces supporting this candidate to run
in the election and try to get `yeas’ for the candidate besides `nays’
(i.e. when the society votes against the candidate put up by the
government rather than for the opposition candidate). Second, this
candidate working in the government should not lead one agency or
another, in other words, should not be responsible for one action or
another. It helps avoid shortcomings in work and blame the person
overhead. Belonging to the ministry of foreign ministers enables the
candidate to make political maneuvers. The point is that the foreign
ministry is directly involved in a highly important process ` the
settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, which is an essential
factor to political career. On the other hand, this circumstance has
negative aspects as well. The other spheres of life practically fall
out of sight. Moreover, a diplomat, especially a deputy foreign
minister, voices the official stance of the state, which is formulated
by the head of state. Considering this, the deputy foreign minister has
made no statements presenting his own stance on not only the Karabakh
settlement but also other issues. All his statements fully overlap with
the official one. Therefore, the claims of some analysts that Mr.
Mayilian is oppositionist appear unrealistic. It is clear, however,
that even the election of the most suitable candidate is not a
guarantee of victory and a compliant election in general, especially
when the main forces support one candidate. In this context, the people
who support the opposition candidate have a single chance to win over
voters ` to try to set the government against people, including its
opposition in the face of the parties supporting Bako Sahakian. In this
context, the NGOs have a core importance, who violate some rules in
their activities, widely using black PR. It is done intentionally,
making the government take steps in answer to go on to blame the
government for departure from democratic principles. This approach is
considered as one of the components of the recent fruit and flower
revolutions. Besides, rumors come that Armenia and influential forces
outside support the opposition candidate. It is natural that Armenia
cannot support. The real actors in Armenia and abroad support subjects,
not objects. The difference between objects and subjects is that the
subjects play their own game, whereas the objects play others’ game.
The tactics used by the analysts who support Mr. Mayilian is notable.
They often sign their analyses and articles with nicknames, and it is
quite logical. By circulating an idea with different names they try to
make the public believe that in reality the opposition candidate has
innumerable supporters, but we have already mentioned that there are
only two of them, Igor Muradian and Manvel Sargisian. One of the means
of propaganda they use is the idea that the country needs fundamental
changes, and only the candidate they support is able to do that. A
change always tempts people because people always want a change, and in
this context change becomes an end in itself for some people. In
addition, for whatever reason people usually think that the change they
anticipate will be positive. Meanwhile, in reality the change may
produce negative consequences. Positive changes are always necessary,
and the country which upholds change develops dynamically. However, the
outcome of the anticipated change depends on a number of factors, and
the problem of cadres is one of them. Cadres determine a lot. The
forces which really want change or declare they want change need to
involve persons who are devoted to people and not their ambitions, as
well as to prove both this and their commitment to change. The people
who use Masis Mayilian for their ends and support him have already had
a chance to display their abilities. They have created a mysterious
atmosphere around them, which may lure voters. Besides, most supporters
of Mayilian are theoreticians, and it is be ingenuous to hope that this
team will manage to carry out fundamental changes. As to the common
candidate, the situation is different. Bako Sahakian can be considered
as a practical figure. In reality, he helped reinforce statehood in
NKR, and in any position he has occupied he displayed good
organizational abilities and an innovative style of governance. The
common candidate is supported by different political parties which
often have opposite ideological and political stances. Moreover, he was
nominated by a civil initiative group. It appears that if Bako Sahakian
is elected, his team will include people of different ideological and
political views. This peculiarity is already a component of change
(balanced and flexible), when the opinion of a wide range of layers of
the society will be taken into consideration. It creates favorable
conditions for progress and avoidance of major shocks. In addition, the
mere fact that Mr. Sahakian is supported by different parties and the
society means that if elected he will not `owe’ to a separate party,
and will not depend on any force. He will be accountable to people
only. After all, people utter the definitive word. Tomorrow people will
say who must head the country. And I am sure the election will be
compliant, democratic and transparent. Moreover, the society will not
be divided into camps, despite the aspirations of separate forces. Our
state is strong enough not to view the election as adversity or
competition of candidates and their supporters. This is a competition
of ideas.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress