ArmInfo. Elections to the local government bodies have demonstrated that the authorities of Armenia do not intend to change, member of Heritage Party Tevan Poghosyan stated at today's press conference.
"Numerous alarms on frauds and violations at the local government elections demonstrate that all the statements about the necessity to make urgent reforms are empty words. Consequently, the authorities will use all the range of frauds in the elections in Gyumri and Vanadzor on October 2 considering that these they are the two largest and oppositionist cities", he stressed. At the same time Poghosyan stressed that for holding fair and transparent elections in Armenia shift of power is needed.
MP from Republican Party faction of Armenia Levon Martirosyan in turn stated that the non-established and non-consolidated opposition is the reason of lack of democratic progress in Armenia. According to him the ruling party remains the most influential political force and the existing oppositionist parties cannot compete with it.
"They do not have such resources to compete", he stated noting that this is the reason why oppositionist candidates fail in elections. "Even if they have won in several polling stations this does not mean that they constitute any force", he stated adding that the opposition is disunited. "They should realize that small parties do not constitute force", he stressed.
To note, numerous violations were reported as the first stage of elections to the local self-government is over in 37 communities in Armenia. In particular, Citizen Observer and Transparency International report various cases of violations during voting, such as ballot-stuffing, voting outside polling stations, frightening of voters, queues, multiple voting, obstruction of the activity of journalists and observers.
In the town of Etchmiadzin, the passions ran so high that one of the candidates was kidnapped reportedly by the incumbent mayor's supporters. It is noteworthy that the incumbent mayor Karen Grigoryan is the son of MP, General Mavel Grigoryan. A criminal case was initiated on the fact. The beaten candidate for mayor is still in hospital.