PARLIAMENT CHAIRMAN DOWNPLAYS CANDIDATE’S ARGUMENTS

ARMENPRESS
Feb 12, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: Parliament chairman Tigran Torosian
downplayed today the arguments of a presidential candidate, Arman
Melikian, who would repeat that a legislation amendment banning
Armenian expatriates from participating in national elections was
unconstitutional, albeit the Constitutional Court rejected earlier
to consider Melikian’s appeal against the amendment.

During a meeting with Melikian today the parliament speaker cited
legal, technical and moral reasons to ground why Armenians living
abroad should not be allowed to participate in Armenia-held elections.

Torosian said from the legal perspective holding elections in Armenia
is invulnerable and this, he said is not in conflict with international
requirements.

>From the technical perspective, he said in view of the fact that
Armenian expatriates are living in dozens of foreign countries it is
impossible to organize elections for all of them.

Melikian argues that the ban has affected as many as 500,000
expatriates banning them from taking part in the February 19
presidential election. He would also say many of them would vote for
him. But Torosian said in the past elections few precincts were opened
in embassies and consular buildings.

>From the moral perspective, Torosian said elections actually define
the country’s course for the next several years and will effect the
lives of those who choose to stay here. "Armenia exists thanks to
people who live in it and therefore, it is they who should decide
its fate," he said.