Presidential election begins in Armenia

Presidential election begins in Armenia

Interfax, Russia
Feb 19 2008

YEREVAN. Feb 19 (Interfax) – Polling stations were opened for voting
in the Armenian presidential election on Tuesday morning.

Nine candidates are running for the Armenian presidency: Prime Minister
and Republican Party leader Serzh Sargsyan, former Prime Minister and
leader of the opposition National Democratic Union Vazgen Manukian,
National Assembly Deputy Speaker and member of the Dashnaktsutiun party
bureau Vaan Ovannisian, Orinats Yerkir party leader Artur Bagdasarian,
former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian, National Unity party
leader Artashes Gegamian, People’s Party leader Tigran Karapetian,
National Accord party leader Aram Arutyunian, and former advisor to
the president of Nagorno-Karabakh Armen Melikian.

According to Armenian authorities, there are 2,328,020 registered
voters, for whom 1,923 polling station were opened.

To win the election a candidate must receive 50% plus one vote. If no
candidate secures this number of votes in the first round, a second
round will take place after two weeks. ar dp