SOCIOMETER: INTEREST OF YEREVAN RESIDENTS TOWARD CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS GROWS BY 5% IN ELECTION CAMPAIGN PERIOD

ARKA
May 29, 2009

YEREVAN, May 29. /ARKA/. Interest of Yerevan residents toward elections
of the municipal council grew only by 5% over the election campaign
period, Director of Sociometer independent sociological center Aharon
Adibekyan said.

On May 31 six political parties are to participate in the municipal
council elections in Yerevan – Prospering Armenia, Republican Party
of Armenia, Orinats Yerkir, ARF Dashnaktsutiun, People’s Party,
Labor Socialistic Party of Armenia and a political block – Armenian
National Congress.

"I am very sorry that there are no social psychologists in our
leading political parties who could give a correct assessment of
the situation. Mass demonstrations do not produce a result due to
non-confidence of the population," Adibekyan said.

Living attitudes of people are formed throughout years and cannot be
changed over a month, he said.

A total of 5,500 people participated in the poll conducted in all
Yerevan communities from April to May.

According to the poll results, 29% of the respondents will go to the
elections and know who they are going to vote for. 17% will participate
in the election but keep the names of their favorites in secret. 22%
of the respondents have not decided yet will they go to the elections
or not and 25% are indifferent to the elections a nd do not intend
to participate.

The municipal council of the Armenian capital is to consist of 65
members on a party-ticket system. The number one in the list of the
party that gains absolute majority in the council will automatically
become Mayor of Yerevan.