"STRUGGLE WILL BE TENSE"

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02:04 pm | March 23, 2009

Politics

The May 31 election to the city council is not an ordinary election. It
will either fill up or deepen the existing gap. The last year’s
post-election antagonist is still perceived in the country," says
candidate of jurisprudence Hrayr Tovmasyan.

The legal expert thinks the authorities will demonstrate
sobriety during the upcoming election and find a way out of this
situation. "They are obliged to guarantee a free and fair election. I
do understand the authorities’ stance as well. They have a problem
of activating the electorate."

Hrayr Tovmasyan is convinced that the election race for the city mayor
will be rather tense. "The election will resemble a parliamentary
one but, unlike other elections, it will be conducted through an
Elder’s quorum. The key actors of the political domain will enter
into a struggle. The election of Yerevan’s Mayor is a political
election. And if anyone disagrees with me, let him cast a stone."

The election campaign kicks off on March 2 and lasts till May
30. Under the legislation, a candidate can withdraw from the race
ten days before the Election Day.

Note that each candidate is to pay caution money of 2 million drams and
in case he/she passes the 7-percent threshold, the money will be paid
back. All candidates will be given equal footing during the campaign.

With regard to the BHK’s decision to nominate the Minister of
Healthcare Hovhannes Kushkyan for the city mayor, Hrayr Tovmasyan
says it is in line with the working legislation. Hovhannes Kushkyan
is not forced to resign office during the campaign, at the same time
he shouldn’t abuse his position.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress