  Presidential election kicks off in Armenia  February 18, 2013 - 08:02 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia is electing the President today, Feb 18. 1988 polling stations opened in 41 constituencies across the republic at 8 am local time and will close at 8 pm. The total number of voters is 2 505 980. 12 international and 26 local organizations are monitoring the election process, including: the International expert Center for Electoral Systems (ICES) - 35 observers, ODIHR/OSCE - 263 observers, CIS Interparliamentary Assembly - 30 observers, CIS Monitoring Mission - 163 observers, European Parliament - 12 observers, embassies accredited to Armenia - 34 observers. The election will also be monitored by 25 representatives of Central Election Committees from foreign countries as well as heads of the Yerevan offices of the IFES, OSCE and CoE. 7 candidates are running for the post of Armenian president: chairman of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan, Heritage party chairman Raffi Hovannisian, leader of Freedom party, former prime minister Hrant Bagratyan, former foreign minister of Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arman Melikyan, National Self-Determination Union party head Paruyr Hayrikyan, Radio Hay director Andrias Ghukasyan and literature expert Vardan Sedrakyan. Partner news  Top stories Nalbandian drew the co-chairs’ attention to ongoing military rhetoric of Azerbaijan, which undermines possibility for peaceful settlement. Tigran Sargsyan: the authorities will do the utmost in the coming 4-5 years to ensure favorable conditions for the people. Members of all parliamentary groups, PM, Energy Minister and the chair of the Public Services Regulatory Commission were invited to participate. Vahan Hovhannisyan voiced hope that the ruling authorities acknowledge the difficulties Armenia currently faces.   Partner news |  Topic Latest news Israeli security expert says Syrian hacker attack foiled  Israel refuses to comment on the strike but officials at the time said Iranian missiles set for Hezbollah were hit.Gyumri to host Europe Day celebrations The celebrations will feature a small information fair, with EU project representatives to brief the visitors on the initiatives launched.1st Armenian interactive fairy tale available for iPhone/iPod Touch The tale sparked great interest in Diaspora. Such projects, namely interactive version of “Alice in Wonderland”, are popular abroad.Expert says Russian FM’s remarks in context of Madrid Principles No decisive developments will follow the meeting between Russian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers, David Jamalyan said. |
