NEITHER THE QUALITY OF THE CANDIDATES NOR THE FORM OF CAMPAIGNING CHANGED
Shushan Matevosyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
10 Sep 2008
Armenia

Whilst the adoption of the law on "Yerevan Local Self-Governance" is
postponed, and the election of the new Major of Yerevan that is linked
with the before mentioned remains unsettled, the election of community
governors and aldermen continue in different communities in Yerevan.

Though they say that after the elections the elective positions of
the community governors will be annihilated, anyway the tough struggle
continues in different communities.

A question arises here: "Why? Isn’t it a short term position?"

When we analyze the elections of Arabkir community, the conclusion
is clear, ex-community governor H. Shahinyan couldn’t pin his hopes
upon the people. Why? The reason is quite clear – because the people
were dissatisfied of his work.

The problem of garbage cleaning was number one problem for the
inhabitants of Arabkir community, which in essence was not solved
during the years of his governance. Is this the only reason why
H. Shahinyan failed to attain the proper amount of votes to win
the elections?

The experts of Local Self Governmental Bodies and PR specialists are
of quite different opinion. The candidate that delivered much money
won the elections. Many people noticed that H. Shahinyan spent too
much for =0 Ahis PR; he also used his official levers. But…

By the way there is an opinion that Albert Yeritsyan is a record-holder
in delivering money, especially if we take into consideration the
fact that he is not going to hold the position for a long term.

To be short in terms of quality there was no change in the elections
of Aabkir community governor, it was a struggle between the "community
guys". Only the name was changed – Yeritsyan replaced Shahinyan.

The Campaign Will Be Tougher In The Center

If the campaign was merely between the community governors in Arabkir
community, the same can’t be said about the center. The elections
of the community governor will be on quite a different field in
this community.

Everyone already says that the elections here will be politicized.

Naturally, when the ex-governor of Kentron (center) community,
activist of Armenian Pan National Movement Ararat Zurabyan nominated
his candidacy, everyone started to speak about it.

It should have happened because he is not the son of the
pro-oppositional activist Manuk Gasparyan, he is a very important
political figure – Ter-Petrosyan’s companion-in-arms.

Naturally the pro-governmental candidate Gagik Beglaryan will be
nominated for the position of the community governor in the Center
and the struggle will be between these two candidates.

>From the beginning we must record that the inhab itants of Kentron
community are satisfied with Gagik Beglaryan’s work.

The issue of garbage cleaning is finally solved. It is the best
technically equipped community, etc.

But the struggle will be heated in the center because here the
elections will definitely be politicized.

The observers don’t question Beglaryan’s victory; emphasizing the
advantages he already has, especially when they draw parallels with
Khachatur Sukiasyan. By the way we shouldn’t forget that Kentron is
also Khachatur Sukiasyan’s community. Which means it will be difficult
to win the elections in this community.

But in general the elections of the Local Self-Governmental Bodies
display that in this regard there is no qualitative change in our
reality. The same wild, provincial struggle.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress