Prosperous Armenia, ANC and Heritage hold last pre-election rallies

May 3, 2012 - 23:00 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - With three days left until the parliamentary elections in Armenia, political forces resolved to make effective use of the remaining time. On May 3, Yerevan hosted rallies of Prosperous Armenia, Heritage opposition party and Armenian National Congress.

Prosperous Armenia and voters’ clear conscience

Prosperous Armenia party’s rally was the first to take place, with United Labor Party leader Gurgen Arsenyan delivering the opening speech.

“We have been to almost all settlements of Armenia during the past month, meeting thousands of voters, and presenting our election program,” he said.

In her speech, Mp from Prosperous Armenia Naira Zohrabyan said, ”Our conscience will determine our future on the election day. On that day you will elect the Armenia that nobody would like to flee.”

Prosperous Armenia leader: everything will be OK

Prosperous Armenia leader Gagik Tsarukyan called on those present at rally to participate in the voting.

“Everything will be OK. Go to the polls and don’t be afraid of anyone,” he said.

Armenian National Congress: May 8, 30 seconds and coalition

The last rally of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) before the parliamentary elections launched at Yerevan’s Liberty Square on May 3 evening. It gathered the largest number of participants in the recent months.

ANC next meeting due on May 8

Armenian National Movement board chair Aram Manukyan delivered the opening speech, noting that ANC launched its election campaign on April 10 in Armenian town of Aparan and completed it on May 1 in Gyumri city.

He further noted that ANC next rally is scheduled for May 8.

30 second revolution isn’t in the past

Oncoming parliamentary elections in Armenia will determine the future and performance of government, ANC parliamentary candidate and Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper editor-in-chief said.

According to Nikol Pashinyan, citizens have the chance to decide on the “opportunity of adequate life standards or emigration.”

He harshly criticized Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s administration, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s government and the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, stressing the need of ANC victory to ensure adequate life standards.

Mr. Pashinyan said that following a victory, ANC will form government, with conduction of fair presidential elections becoming its key goal.

In conclusion, he called for conducing “30 second revolution on May 6 and vote for ANC.”

ANC agrees to join coalition with reserve

ANC leader forecast formation of a “real coalition” in future parliament under certain conditions. Levon Ter-Petrossian deemed ANC’s engagement in the coalition possible, whilst ruling out “the union with Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and Orinats Yerkir”, dubbing them a true vice for the country.

Ter-Petrossian stressed that depriving RPA of the monopoly of power must become the main goal of the forthcoming elections.

According to ANC leader, only ANC, Prosperous Armenia and ARF Dashnaktsutyun, which have formed inter-party headquarters, demonstrate true interest in fair elections.

“All the forces that stand against the inter-party headquarters, either protect the authorities’ rights or have reached secret agreements with them,” he said.

Election forgery drug

The more people participate in parliamentary elections, the fewer chances authorities have to forge elections, ANC leader said.

Levon Ter-Petrossian noted a number of reasons that may deter falsification of elections, despite the authorities’ willingness to forge them.

He further stressed the international community’s position that centers on human rights and democracy following the Arab Spring.

In this context Ter-Petrossian voiced hope for the international observers to give a more objective assessment, abandoning the statement “elections mainly met the international standards” or “this was a step forward compared with the previous elections.”

He further dwelt on the inter-party headquarters to counter election violations formed by ANC, Prosperous Armenia and ARF Dashnaktsutyun.

Reflecting on the political forces’ appeal to the Constitutional Court with a proposal to rule the point of the Armenian electoral code banning publication of voter lists as unconstitutional, he said that in case of a positive decision, it will become impossible for authorities to use the key resource for election forgery, i.e. votes of the missing 700 thous. citizens.

Heritage: power to nation

On May 3, Aznavour square in Yerevan hosted Heritage opposition party’s last rally before the parliamentary elections.

“We will return Armenia’s power to its people,” the party leader Raffi Hovhannisyan said.

Armenia, feudal lords and love for Free Democrats

During his speech at Heritage party’s rally in Yerevan, Free Democrats representative Alexander Arzumanyan noted that after visiting all the provinces of Armenia, he was convinced that feudal system still operates in Armenia.

“Each village administration head considers himself a feudal lord, deciding on the rallies villagers should attend,” Mr. Arzumanyan said.

At the end of his speech, he addressed the rally participants, “I love you all, and will wait for you votes on May 6.

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