Sargsyan wins Armenian presidential election

Sargsyan wins Armenian presidential election

24.02.2008, 19.31

YEREVAN, February 24 (Itar-Tass) — Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan has
been elected as the Armenian president, the Central Elections
Commission said on Sunday.

According to the commission, the premier gained 52.82% of votes in the
February 19 election.

The opposition said it did not recognize the official results of the
presidential election and would challenge them. In the opinion of the
opposition, the election was won by Armenia’s first president Levon
Ter-Petrossian. The opposition started round-the-clock protests and
rallies on the square in front of the Armenian parliament.

International election observers said that the ballot generally met
democratic norms. They noted certain shortcomings but said they did not
have an effect on the election outcome.

The president-elect will be inaugurated on April 9, the day when the
office of incumbent President Robert Kocharian ends.

President Vladimir Putin and chiefs of some other states have
congratulated Sargsyan on victory.