Armenian presidential campaign growing fast

PanARMENIAN.Net - "Some competent organizations provide inaccurate data as regards the per cent of votes the presidential hopefuls will garner in the election, AFR Dashnaktsutyun party candidate Vahan Hovhannisian said.



"The President is elected by people and we are not interested in the position of other states and results of surveys. I do respect internationally recognized organizations specializing in social surveys but their agents in Armenia do not inspire confidence, their financing either," Mr Hovhannisian said.



"However, it's reprehensible that some Russian political scientists say that one of the candidates is advisable for their country and that they will work for his victory. It means interference in Armenia's domestic affairs and can cause conflict of interests between the superpowers," he added.



Meanwhile, surveys held by Baltic Survey Ltd./The Gallup Organization January 13-20 among 1200 respondents show that 43 per cent of the voters support Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan. He is followed by Orinats Yerkir party leader Artur Baghdassaryan with 11 per cent and National Unity party leader Artashes Geghamyan with 6 per cent. The rating other candidates is minor.



In case of a second round the opposition may come forth with a united candidate, RA NA Orinats Yerkir faction member Heghine Bisharyan said. She claimed that the authorities are using the inoperative law on dual citizenship to implement new falsification mechanisms. "People who are not Armenian citizens can arrive in Armenia, get a passport and vote," she said, Armenian media reports.



It should be noted that with receiving Armenian citizenship, one should live in Armenia no less than 6 months to be entitled to vote.