Arka News Agency, Armenia
May 12 2007
POLLING STATIONS OPEN IN ARMENIA AT 8:00 LOCAL TIME
YEREVAN, May 12. /ARKA/. Parliamentary elections are being held today
in Armenia. 1923 polling stations opened at 8:00 local time
parliamentary elections. Voters can go to the polls from 8:00 to
20:00.
Armenian Police Department says there are 2 million 285 thousand 830
people eligible to vote in Armenia.
As many as 22 parties and one bloc, Impeachment, are competing for
131 seats in National Assembly.
According to the police’s information, 1245 candidates will try to
win 90 seats through party lists and 119 will run for 41 in
individual races. Under Electoral Code, parties have to score no less
than 5% while the bloc needs 7% for entering the parliament.
Preliminary results of the vote on party lists will be unveiled on
May 13, no later than by 20:00. Results of the vote on individual
races will be released by 14:00.
13808 members of 53 local organizations and 767 members of six
international missions will observe the election.
The new-convocation parliament is to hold its first session on May
31.
Previous parliamentary elections were held on May 25, 2003. Six
political parties won seats in the then parliament. Republican Party
of Armenia with its 23.66%, Orinats Yerkir with 12.60%,
dashnaktsutyun with 11.45%, Justice bloc with 13.71%, National Unity
with 8.91% and United Labor Party with 5.67% entered the parliament
in 2003. M.V.-0–