MEMBER OF RPA FACTION: RPA IS PREPARED TO USE ALL ITS RESOURCES FOR HOLDING FAIR ELECTIONS

Noyan Tapan
May 8, 2009

YEREVAN, MAY 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The elections of Yerevan Council of
Elders are undoubtedly political ones as they are being held only
by the proportional electoral system, and the parties running in
these elections present their pre-election programs on development of
Yerevan. Karen Avagian, a member of the National Assembly "Republican
Party of Armenia" (RPA) faction, said this at the May 8 discussion "The
Role of Parties in the Organization and Control of Elections of Yerevan
Council of Elders" organized at the National Press Club. At the same
time he noted that there will be a team struggle in these elections,
and not the mayor but his political team will bear responsibility
for solution of Yerevan problems. K. Avagian assured those present
that the RPA is in favor of transparent and fair elections and it is
going to use all its resources with this aim.

With the assistance of the National Democracy Institute of the US,
the National Press Club (NPC) intends to hold a number of discussions
on elections of the Yerevan Council of Elders. Representatives of
all the political forces running in the elections of the Council of
Elders will be invited to discussions.

In the words of the NPC Chairwoman Narine Mkrtchian, all 7
political forces have received an invitation to take part in the
given discussion, but only 5 have accepted it. Representative of
the Armenian National Congress Vahagn Khachatrian was not present
for unknown reasons, while "Prosperous Armenia" Party (PAP) refused
to participate in advance. According to PAP, during the election
propaganda campaign, representatives of their party will not make
speeches at any press club.