Governor of Armenia's Kotayk province Kovalenko Shahgeldyan is failing to secure the required number of votes for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) in the forthcoming parliamentary elections in May, Yerkir paper reports.

Rumors say the “authorities” intend to get rid of Kotayk leader, while the paper’s sources in the province claim the governor makes every effort to garner votes, holding frequent meetings with rural authorities.

He is tough on his staff stating that if rural mayors fail to bring the necessary votes, “it won’t do them good”, Yerkir says.