Hayrikyan may garner 2-3rd spots in polls after shooting – expert

PanARMENIAN.Net - Assassination attempt at Paruyr Hayrikyan may boost the presidential candidate’s chances for 2nd to 3rd places in polls, a political analyst believes.

“Hayrikyan’s decision on whether to delay the February 18 polls may depend on a number of factors. However, in terms of election campaigning and media attention, this is his best chance to promote his candidacy,” Sergey Minasyan told a news conference in Yerevan.

However, the expert was skeptical that external forces or Armenia’s political field might benefit from the situation following Hayrikyan’s assassination attempt.

“Such an incident cannot boost the country’s rating, and, at the same time, may happen anywhere. However, regardless of the incident, the result of the elections is clear to many,” the expert noted.

As the head of Sociometer sociological center said earlier, Armenian presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan’s popularity index soared from 50% to 80% following January 31 assassination attempt.

Aharon Adibekyan noted that the sensation will last a week, with Hayrikyan to garner more votes if the election day remains unchanged.