Armenia opposition MP accuses ruling party of election fraud; RPA refutesMay 12, 2017 - 11:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday, May 11 evening said in a Facebook post that one of current mayor Taron Margaryan’s offices is offering elections bribes in the amount of AMD 20,000 (apx. $41). The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) whose proportional list in the municipal elections is headed by Margaryan, refuted the claims as disinformation. According to Pashinyan, a Haykakan Zhamanak reporter filmed the process, but those inside snatched the phone and deleted the footage. Also, Pashinyan called on the citizens to visit RPA campaign offices, film such cases and post the videos online. In response to the accusations, RPA called for refraining from “the obvious temptation of spreading disinformation.” “We officially declare that the post is absolute disinformation and is completely untrue,” the RPA campaign office said. Three parties participate in elections. RPA’s list is headed by Margaryan; Pashinyan, who was recently re-elected to the Armenian National Assembly, tops the list of YELQ bloc; while 5th Convocation National Assembly lawmaker Zaruhi Postanjyan, who recently announced the Yerkir Tsirani (Land of Apricot) party, will head its list. Municipal elections are slated for Sunday. Related links: Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). |