ITAR-TASS, Russia
Feb 18 2008
Armenia has day of silence on eve of presidential election
18.02.2008, 13.33
YEREVAN, February 18 (Itar-Tass) – Armenia has a `day of silence’ in
electioneering on Monday on the eve of the country’s presidential
election. Political agitation is prohibited all over the country,
according to the republic’s Election Code norm.
Contrary to tradition the main newspapers were published in Armenia
on Sunday to tell the readers about the latest events in the election
race. No papers will be published on Monday and also on the election
day – Tuesday in order not to break the `political silence.’
The election meetings’ noise is past, the candidates have given an
account of their political platforms and now pieces of agitation
posters and leaflets are blown by the wind in the streets of Yerevan
and other cities and settlements of the republic. Despite the fact
that in accordance with the law the candidates’ headquarters must
clear the walls of houses of all posters and remove them from
billboards, the faces of the candidates are still seen there
reminding passers-by of the ended storm of political passions.
Meanwhile, the election campaign has turned out to be the nosiest and
vociferous over the whole history of independent Armenia. The current
presidential election is the fifth since the country proclaimed
independence. Emotions sometimes were running too high and debates
were turning into personal insults. The authorities’ activities have
been most severely criticised by oppositionists. Opposition members
accused the government of all sins even using the most insulting
expressions.
Against this background the candidate from the power, incumbent Prime
Minister Serzh Sarkisyan in his speeches was composed calling for
tolerance and unity. `The time has come to overcome the split
undermining the national potential,’ the presidential candidate said.
Moreover, at the last election meeting on Sunday he apologised for
mistakes committed by the authorities over 17 years since the
proclamation of independence of Armenia and promised to correct them
if he is elected president. It is no surprise that such stance is
liked by the electorate, which is reflected in the results of public
opinion polls.
The main opponent to power is Levon Ter-Petrosyan who headed the
country in 1990-1998. The first president of Armenia built his
election campaign on severe criticism of the current Armenian
leadership accusing them of making gross mistakes practically in all
spheres.
Other candidates expressed programmes differing from each other in
nuances. However, all the nine hopefuls have a common position on the
role and place of Armenia in the international community and on the
ways of the Karabakh conflict settlement.
Meanwhile, missions of six international organisations have been
accredited for monitoring the coming presidential elections in
Armenia to be held this Tuesday. The Armenian Central Election
Commission (CEC) reported that they include missions of CIS and CIS
Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the ODIHR and the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the
European Parliament.
Representatives from the Russian State Duma (lower house of
parliament), led by first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee
for CIS Affairs Konstantin Zatulin, were expected to come on Sunday.
The delegation includes five representatives from the United Russia
Party and one representative from the factions of the Liberal
Democratic Party, the Communist Party and the Just Russia Party each.
The Armenian CEC invited as observers ambassadors of OSCE member
countries, other foreign ambassadors in the republic, the head of the
OSCE mission in Armenia, the special representative of the CE
secretary-general in Yerevan, the chief of the Yerevan office of the
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, the
head of the local branch of the International Foundation for
Electoral Systems and the chairman of the Central Election Commission
of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh republic.
A total of 13,400 observers from 39 local non-government
organisations were accredited. The non-government organisation Your
Choice delegated the greatest number of representatives.
The issue of relationship between Armenia and Russia was invariably
raised at the electioneering meetings and practically each candidate
voiced support to the preservation of equal and mutually advantageous
cooperation and partnership with the Russian Federation. Many
candidates called for the development of contacts with NATO within
the programme of partnership pursued by the Alliance. Nevertheless,
on the eve of the election Prime Minister Sarkisyan considered it
necessary to stress once again that the issue of the country’s
admission to NATO is not on the foreign policy agenda of Armenia.
Despite the passions running high, the situation in the republic is
calm, however, reinforced police patrols are on duty in the streets
of Yerevan. A total of 8,000 policemen are engaged in efforts to
maintain law and order on the day of voting.