FIRST ROUND

SECOND ROUND

FEBRUARY 19. On Feb 19, the day of the Armenian Presidential Election, all republican courts of the first instance will work in normal regime.

The press service of the Armenian Justice Ministry told ARMINFO, that, according to item 5 of article 40 of the Armenian Electoral Code, "all employees of courts and prosecutor's offices will work on the election day." So, on Feb 19, all courts will start work at 8.00 am.

The citizens of Armenia whose names will not be included in the electoral lists or who will find some inaccuracies there, can apply to the court of the first instance to restore their rights. So they must be beforehand with the corresponding certificate from the local electoral commission. For the citizens' convenience, a sample of statement has been elaborated which, after having been filled in, must be given to the court with a certificate and a copy of the passport.

The statements will be considered without delay. It should be noted that the absence of a representative from the electoral commission and from the self-government body will not create obstacles to this procedure. After the court has delivered the verdict, a citizen must go to his polling station where he can be included in the list under the court's decision and vote in favour of this or that candidate. In addition, citizens applying to the courts for the restoration of their right to vote, will not have to pay a state tax.

In order to provide the citizens of Armenia with the corresponding legal assistance, the Armenian Justice Ministry has established a round-the-clock duty schedule and organized a telephone service, 583177, 582379.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BEING HELD IN ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 19. Presidential election is being held in Armenia today. It is the fourth presidential election in the history of the third Republic.

At 8:00 a.m. local time, almost 2,000 polling stations were opened throughout Armenia, and the voters have to choose between the following candidates: the incumbent President Robert Kocharian, who is running for the second term; Chairman of the "National Unity" party Artashes Geghamian; Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA) Stepan Demirchian; the Head of the "Perspective" center of strategic research, political scientist Aram Karapetian; Chairman of the "National Accord" party Aram Karapetian; Chairman of the National-Democratic Union (NDU) Vazgen Manukian; Chairman of the "United Armenians" party Ruben Avagian; Chairman of the "Socialist Armenia" Union, Colonel Garnik Margarian. The ballot-papers also contain the name of Chairman of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram Sargssian, but, not long before the election, he urged his electorate to cast their votes in favor of PPA Chairman Stepan Demirchian.

The voting process will be monitored by over 5,000 local and international observers, including a PACE mission, OSCE observer mission, CIS observer missions and observers of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly. Ten thousand policemen will maintain the public order in the country. Translucent ballot-boxes made in Denmark are for the first time being used during the voting.

We would remind you that it was a representative of the Armenian National Movement (AMN), Levon Ter-Petrossian, who gained an indisputable victory in the first presidential election in the history of the third Republic in 1991. In 1996 presidential election Levon Ter-Petrossian retained the post of the president, but the opposition, as well as a number of prestigious international organizations considered the election results falsified. In February 1998, Ter-Petrossian resigned, and in March 1998 an early presidential election was held in Armenia, and the incumbent President Robert Kocharian won the run-off election.

ALL POLLING STATIONS OPENED IN ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 19. At 8:00 a.m. local time, all the polling stations were opened in Armenia, where a presidential election is being held today.

In his interview to Armenia's Public Television, CEC Chairman Artak Sahradian reported that no problems were recorded during the first hours of voting. All the polling stations were opened on time. Translucent ballot-boxes made in Denmark were installed in all the polling stations yesterday. CEC Chairman pointed out that no communication problems arise, and radio communication has been established with villages where no other type of communication is available. Until 8:00 p.m. all available information is expected to concern the number of citizens that will have taken part in the voting. Thereafter, the information on the election results will be available.

LEADER OF NATIONAL UNITY ARTASHES GEGHAMYAN CONVINCED IN HIS VICTORY

FEBRUARY 19. Leader of the National Unity party, the candidate for Presidency in Armenia, Artashes Gaghamyan is sure that he will receive enough votes and his defeat in the presidential election is impossible. Geghamyan made this statement talking to journalists after discharging his civic duty by voting at the electoral district N0346 today.

At the same time, he said in the early morning the electoral districts of the Davidashen community refused from sealing the ballot boxes. Besides, Geghamyan said it has become known that filled-up ballot papers have already been distributed to military servicemen. "All these facts will be fixed and then provided to mass media. It testifies that the authorities are in agony, preparing their further fate themselves,at the same time involving thousands of people in illegal acts. We shall never forgive them for this," Geghamyan said.

At the same time, Artashes Geghamyan did not rule out a possibility of a run-off election, with his and Leader of the People's Party Stepan Demirchyan's participation. It will testify to the victory of the Armenian people, Artashes Geghamyan said.-

STABILIZATION ON POST-SOVIET SPACE TO BEGIN FROM KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT, SAYS DMITRII ROGOZIN

FEBRUARY 19. ARMINFO-TURAN. The issues related to relationships between Azerbaijan and Russia and urgent international problems have been discussed today at the meeting between President Heydar Aliyev and Dmitrii Rogozin, chairman of Russian Duma Committee for International Affairs, head of Russian delegation in PACE.

Rogozin said that he is satisfied with results of talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, head of Milli Mejlis delegation in PACE. He highly assessed cooperation between the two countries' parliamentary delegations in PACE.

In addition to cooperation on "tactical issues," Rogozin offered to negotiate a "long- range" policy of Baku and Moscow with regard to European organizations.

He said that the countries' need to jointly analyze perspectives of the European Union development for about five or ten years to come to "forecast" advantages and problems that European integration could bring to Russia, Azerbaijan and other CIS member-states. "We need to think how these problems could be turned into advantages and how to unite to resolve them," said Rogozin. He believes that in order to achieve that the CIS member- states should bring their legislation closer to that of European Union.

President Aliyev supported Rogozin's proposal and noted that people focus on global problems forgetting about other no less dangerous problems. Among such problems Heydar Aliyev called the Karabakh conflict started 15 years ago as a result of Armenian aggressive separatism.

Heydar Aliyev spoke about that yesterday with Vladimir Putin during telephone conversation. "I understand that there is no need to bring this matter to the foreground right now. But we should not forget about that to allow Armenians to do everything they want to. If the world community occupies a just position, it must determine who is occupant and who is a victim of this occupation," said Aliyev.

Heydar Aliyev emphasized Armenia's non-constructive position and added if Armenia is to blame, it must at least admit part of its guilt to dissipate the tension for further continuation of talks.

Azeri President also criticized intermediate efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co- chairs, who offered Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents to find an agreement themselves. "How can we achieve an agreement, if we hold contrary opinions," said Aliyev. He emphasized unwillingness of both UN and OSCE to objectively assess the conflict on the basis of international law and determine the party violating these norms.

Russian parliamentarian said he is confident that as stability within Russia is secured and its president's authority grows, it will play more active role in these matters. Rogozin said: "I witnessed how the Karabakh conflict was the first stone thrown at the Soviet Union. The USSR collapse has actually started in Karabakh. I am sure that stabilization on the whole post-Soviet space must begin from the Karabakh conflict settlement."

Rogozin believes that the South Caucasus must be the zone of special interest for Russia. Russia cannot turn a blind eye to everything that's happening in the region, settlement of conflicts on the North Caucasus is impossible without solution to these problems.

Dmitrii Rogozin said that "some ideas and opinions" have been expressed at the talks in Baku and he is going to inform Russian President about that. "I think that Russian parliament will support the idea that Russia must play a more active role in settlement of these problems," noted Rogozin.

Rogozin has invited Ilham Aliyev to pay an official visit to Russia and expressed hope that he will be received there according to his "authority."

12 INTERNATIONAL 31 LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS OF OBSERVERS ACCREDITED IN ARMENIAN CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION

FEBRUARY 19. To observe the Presidential election in Armenia, 12 international and 31 local organizations have accredited at the Armenian Central Electoral Commission (CEC).

Besides, 500 international and some 5,000 local observers are following the election process. The number of accredited journalists reaches 100, with the major part of them representing foreign mass media.

With the object of securing law and order and controlling over the work of the law-inforcement bodies in the course of the Presidential election, an operative staff has been formed headed by the Deputy Head of the Police Ararat Mahtesyan. The staff includes in it a group of rapid reaction as well. To provide the public order and security of citizens a hot communication line of the operative staff has been established - 587500, 520310.-

ELECTION OF ARMENIA'S PRESIDENT HELD IN 1,865 POLLING STATIONS IN ARMENIA, 34 DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS OF ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 19. A presidential election is being held in Armenia today. The voting is held in 1,865 polling stations in Armenia, and in 34 diplomatic mission of the country abroad.

According to the National Statistical Service, a total of 2,295,330 Armenian citizens enjoying the voting right are in and outside Armenia. Observers point out that the voters are quite active during the first hours of the voting. Many of them appeared in front of the polling stations before they were opened.

At polling station N0366 located in the Khachik Dashent School, the voting began with policemen's handing over a safe with ballot-papers to the chairman of the district election commission. Thereafter, the election commission chairman demonstrated to the commission members that all the ballot-papers were in place. The protest of the PPA representative was accounted for by the fact that, according to him, the seal was used several times. This fact was recorded by the PPA representative as a violation of the Election Code. The election commission decided to put a red-color seal on the ballot-paper. This constituency has 1,982 voters.

FIRST ATTENDEE OF ELECTORAL DISTRICT LOCATED AT J.KIRAKOSYAN SECONDARY SCHOOL DID NOT FIND HIS NAME IN ELECTORAL LIST

FEBRUARY 19. The first elector who attended his electoral district located at the John Kirakosyan secondary school today did not find his name in the electoral lists.

He expressed his intention of restoring his constitutional right through the court.

The citizens of Armenia whose names will not be included in the electoral lists or who will find some inaccuracies there, can apply to the court of the first instance to restore their rights. So they must be beforehand with the corresponding certificate from the local electoral commission. For the citizens' convenience, a sample of statement has been elaborated which, after having been filled in, must be given to the court with a certificate and a copy of the passport.

The statements will be considered without delay. It should be noted that the absence of a representative from the electoral commission and from the self-government body will not create obstacles to this procedure. After the court has delivered the verdict, a citizen must go to his polling station where he can be included in the list under the court's decision and vote in favour of this or that candidate. In addition, citizens applying to the courts for the restoration of their right to vote, will not have to pay a state tax.

The Armenian Justice Ministry established hot communication line (583177, 582379) to provide necessary juridical information to the citizens.

IF ELECTED, CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENCY VAZGEN MANOUKYAN INTENDS TO VISIT BARBERS' SHOP, FIRST OFF ALL

FEBRUARY 19. "In case of success or even defeat in the Presidential election, the first thing I intend to do is to go to a barbers' shop," the candidate for Presidency, Leader of the National-Democratic union Vazgen Manoukyan told journalists today.

At the same time, speaking seriously, the victory in the election will set a great number of questions to Manoukyan, which will require immediate answers. In response to the question, whether he has a shadow cabinet, Manoukyan said he has never liked shadow.-

THIS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION MOST UNPREDICTABLE IN INDEPENDENT ARMENIA'S HISTORY: VAZGEN MANUKIAN

FEBRUARY 19. Chairman of the National Democratic Union (NDU), one of the presidential candidates Vazgen Manukian has called this presidential election in the country the most unpredictable in independent Armenia's history.

According to him, the election is unpredictable both because the rating of the incumbent President Robert Kocharian began falling rapidly during the election campaign, and because the number of presidential candidates is unprecedented this time. Vazgen Manukian expects justice from the election, but finds it difficult to make any forecasts. He pointed out that not much time is left and people must wait until the election is finished.

Responding to ARMINFO's question as to whether he will congratulate Robert Kocharian if the latter wins the election, the NDU leader stressed that he will congratulate any candidate that will gain a fair victory. "I have my own opinion of who is the best and the worst candidate, but, on the other hand, I will accept any choice of the people," Manukian said, pointing out that he will take part in the May 25 parliamentary elections irrespective of the results of the presidential election. He also said that he has not yet visited the NDU office and has no information on any violations.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WILL BE FREE AND FAIR: ROBERT KOCHARIAN

FEBRUARY 19. We have done everything possible to ensure a normal election process, Armenian President Robert Kocharian told reporters after voting at polling station N0351 located in Yerevan's Suren Spandarian School.

He expressed confidence that the election will be free and fair, pointing out that no incident has so far been recorded. He suggested that the journalists actively watch the election process and make sure that the President's statement is just. After the election results become known, Robert Kocharian will have a good rest with his family. The President arrived at the polling station with his wife, eldest son and daughter.

LEADER OF ARMENIAN COMMUNISTS VL.DARBINYAN CONSIDERS RUN-OFF ELECTION MOST LIKELY RESULT OF CURRENT ELECTION

FEBRUARY 19. The most likely result of the current Presidential election in Armenia is a run-off election, Leader of the Communist party of Armenia Vladimir Darbinyan told journalists today. It should be noted that at first Darbinyan applied for participation in the election, but later withdrew his candidature in favour of Leader of the National Unity party Artashes Geghamyan.

The CPA leader did not hide that today he like "all the real communists of Armenia" supported Geghamyan. He has already been informed of several facts of violations in the course of voting mainly connected with the confusions in electoral lists.

As regards forecasts, he said he "is not Nostradamus," but considers a run-off election most likely, with the incumbent president and one or two of the opposition candidates participating in it. At the same time, he pointed out that he will congratulate Robert Kocharyan, if the latter wins the election.

112,000 ARMENIAN CITIZENS VOTED IN FIRST THREE OURS OF VOTING

FEBRUARY 19. During the first three hours of voting, 112,000 Armenian citizens performed their civil duty, Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia Artak Sahradian reported.

According to him, this testifies to the electorate's activity despite the heavy snow. The results of interviews show that up to 70% of voters are expected to take part in the voting. Sahradian urged Armenia's citizens to be more active in exercising their constitutional right.

A total of 2,295,330 voters will be able to cast their votes for one of the candidates at 1,865 polling stations in Armenia.

11 GROUPS OF OBSERVERS FOLLOW PROCESS OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN SHIRAK REGION

FEBRUARY 19. 11 groups of observers are following the process of the Presidential Election in Shirak region. According to the data of the local electoral commissions, 7949 people have already voted at the polling stations N 46,47,48,49,50. From 5 electoral commissions 4 are in Gyumri nd one in Artik. In order to insure a transparent and efficient electoral process, 213 territorial electoral centers have been organized, from which 77 are in Gyumri alone. All polling stations are provided with transparent ballot boxes, ballot papers and seal.-

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER ANDRANIK MARGARYAN SURE IN ROBERT KOCHARYAN's VICTORY IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

FEBRUARY 19. Prime Minister of Armenia Andranik Margaryan expressed confidence in the victory of incumbent President Robert Kocharyan in the current election. The premier made this statement talking to journalists today, having made his choice in favour of Robert Kocharyan.

He said his party, the Republican party of Armenia, fully supports the incumbent president and his program. He refuted the rumours that the Republicans did not render enough support to the incumbent president in the course of his pre-election campaign. The circumstance that every pre-election staff of Robert Kocharyan has a RPA representative testifies to RPA's active support. He also refuted the rumours concerning his resignation, pointing out that these rumours have been spread for several years already.

Andranik Margaryan thinks that the current Presidential election differ from previous ones by the fact that high-ranking officials do not interfere in the election process. Ministers and heads of the departments being the members of the Republican party were engaged in the election process being on leave, he explained. Besides, the taxation and customs services and force structures do not exert any pressure on economic entities as well. "They do not make businessmen pay funds in favour of any candidate for Presidency," Andranik Margaryan said. The premier said the election will not influence the political and economic stability in the country. At the same time, he added that it is desirable for the election to be completed in the first round, as "it is not right keeping people in permanent tension."

OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER CLAIMS VIOLATIONS IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

FEBRUARY 19. If no mass falsifications are recorded during today's presidential election, the victory in the first round is predestined - Armenia will have a new president, Chairman of the National-Democratic Party Shavarsh Kocharian told reporters. The Parliament member Shavarsh Kocharian, who supports PPA Chairman Stepan Demirchian, reminded the journalists that any canvassing on the election day is prohibited.

According to him, attempts of falsifications have been recorded in many election districts. As an example be cited the replacement of a "red ink seal" in one of the polling stations located in Yerevan's Mayakovsky School. Besides, in the polling station located in the Telman School groups of people tried to vote for others. Three of them were detained, and statements of the cases were drawn up. However, Sh. Kocharian said that the commission chairman does not take necessary measures in conformity with the law. Nevertheless, the NDP leader stressed, many attempts of falsifications are prevented.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WILL BE IN ONE ROUND: STEPAN DEMIRHCIAN

FEBRUARY 19. "The presidential election in Armenia will be held in one round, and the victory will not be gained by the candidate who is the favorite of all the journalists," Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA) Stepan Demirchian told reporters.

According to him, there are not naive people who consider that the current authorities can win the election without falsifications. However, the question is, according to Demirchian, that the falsifications must be prevented as actively as possible. He pointed out that the first signals of violations were received even in the morning. "We will struggle with any falsifications in the election process," Demirchian said. Speaking of his potential, he pointed out that he does not belittles his chances for victory. Stepan Demirchian pointed out that if he wins the election he intends first of all to change the moral and psychological situation in the country.

Responding to the journalists' question as to what is common between the present and last presidential elections, Stepan Demirchian's mother, Rimma Demirchian, pointed out that the common thing is the people's position. In the 1998 election the people supported Karen Demirchian, today they support the opposition.

NAME OF ARMENIA'S AMBASSADOR TO BELARUS NOT FOUND IN ELECTORAL LISTS

FEBRUARY 19. The name of Armenia's Ambassador to Belarus Souren Haroutyunyan was not found in the electoral lists, CIS Executive Secretary, Head of the CIS Observing Mission Yuri Yarov told correspondents today.

According to Yarov, this case cannot be considered as a violation as Haroutyunyan will still be allowed to vote through the court. Yarov also pointed out the case when the name of one of the voters was not found twice in the electoral lists. According to the CIS Executive Secretary, the local authorities should pay more attention to all these cases. He said that Haroutyunyan together with the CIS observers will go to the court for the endorsement the acceptability and effectiveness of the procedure. CIS Executive Secretary also said that in all polling stations which he could visit, voting was well organized.

BALLOT PAPERS IN YEREVAN COMMUNITY OF DAVIDASHEN NOT SIGNED: CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENCY

FEBRUARY 19. The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia refutes the statement of one of the candidates for Presidency that ballot papers are not signed in the Yerevan community of Davidashen.

Head of the CEC Information Department Lilit Sedrakyan said the CEC has organized examination of the given information and made an official statement that it does not correspond to reality. Besides, Lilit Sedrakyan said both mass media and the international and local observers accredited in Armenia can make sure in the false nature of the statement. She pointed out that according to the CEC's data, they are already operating in this direction.

CIS OBSERVER MISSION SATISFIED WITH ELECTION PROCESS

FEBRUARY 19. The process of the presidential election in Armenia had been in conformity with the country's election legislation by the noon, the authorized representative of the Central Electoral Commission of the Russian Federation to the CIS observer mission Vladimir Butayev told ARMINFO.

He said that the OSCE observer mission is now satisfied with the election process. Butayev pointed out that all the polling stations were opened on time, the voters' lists, ballot-boxes and ballot-papers were sealed up in conformity with the law. He also reported that the CIS observer mission intends to visit and monitor the election process at the polling stations where servicemen vote.

800 CITIZENS VOTED AT POLLING STATION N51 IN SYUNIK REASON BY 10.30 A.M.

FEBRUARY 19. According to the information received from polling station N51 in the Syunik region, 800 citizens had voted at that polling station by 10:30 a.m..

Besides, at polling station N53 in the Syunik region 22% of the voters had performed their civil duty. The voters are not so active at polling station N52, where only 7.5% of voters had taken part in the voting by 11:00 a.m.

Three district election commissions were formed in the Syunik region and 154 polling stations are working. The voting began at 8:00 a.m. local time. The only thing embarrassing the election commission members is the use of old seals. The head of polling station N52 Roma Sargssian explained that the seal was approved and used during the local election.

ARMENIAN CEC RECEIVES CLAIM CONCERNING VIOLATIONS DURING VOTING

FEBRUARY 19. The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia received one claim concerning the violations in the course of today's Presidential election in 4 hours after the beginning of the voting, the CEC member, Representative of the National-Democratic Union party Pavel Yedigaryan told ARMINFO's correspondent. It should be noted that the NDU has advanced its permanent leader, Vazgen Manoukyan.

He said it is the staff of the candidate for Presidency Stepan Demirchyan that made the claim on the loss of a safe including in it ballot papers from the territory of one of the electoral districts of the Yerevan community of Arabkir.

Commenting on the statement of one of the candidates that numerous violations have been observed at the electoral district of the Yerevan community of Davidashen since 9:30 am. local time, Edigaryan said it is very difficult to comment on these statements until the claims obtain an official character.

CANDIDATE ABLE TO ENSURE COUNTRY'S SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT MUST BE VOTED FOR: ARMEN KHACHATRIAN

FEBRUARY 19. The first steps of the new Armenian President must be aimed to enhance the country's security and ensure its development, Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Armen Khachatrian told reporters after voting at polling station N0367 located in the Anton Chekhov School.

According to him, people should vote for the candidate who is able to ensure all this. Khachatrian expressed hope that the country's citizens will show political culture and mutual respect. "I wish the public and politicians realized that elections are not the end, but the beginning of life," he said. Speaking of the possibility of a presidential run-off election, Khachatrian stated that this can only be spoken of toward the end of the day.

3,160 OF 90,396 ELECTORS OF ARAGATSOTN REGION HAVE ALREADY DISCHARGED THEIR CIVIC DUTY

FEBRUARY 19.By 11:00 am. local time, 3,160 of 90,396 electors of the Armenian region of Aragatsotn already exercised their constitutional right of electing the president of Armenia. While in the region of Lori, 12,713 of 214,262 electors made their choice by the accountable period. International observers visited the electoral districts number 17 and 18 of the Yerevan community of Erebuni in the morning, where 4,876 electors were registered.

No single violation have been observed in the region during the specified period of time. The commissions of electoral districts emphasize the high level of attendance of the electors, in spite of the cold weather. Only one citizen have applied to the court for inclusion of his name in the electoral lists.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ARAM KARAPETYAN CONFIDENT IN RUN-OFF ELECTION

FEBRUARY 19. "If the Armenian Presidential Election is conducted in normal way and without falsifications, then I am fully confident in the Presidential run-off election," candidate for the Presidency, the chairman of the Russian Center of Strategic Initiatives "Prospect," politologist Aram Karapetyan said. Karapetyan has voted at polling station N 0205/09, in Yerevan's Davitashen community.

According to Karapetyan, some observations testify in favour of his candidacy. At the same time, Karapetyan said that the election day will be very tense. He did not rule out that some problems related to the election may arise on Feb 19. According to Karapetyan, the day before the "Republic" party stated that the number of ballot papers exceeds the number of voters. He said that the Republican Procurator's Office must by all means deal with this problem giving an operative solution to it. "The time will show how this fact will influence the election results," Aram Karapetyan added.

774 YEREVAN CITIZENS ALREADY APPLIED TO COURTS OF FIRST INSTANCE TO RESTORE THEIR RIGHT OF ELECTION

FEBRUARY 19. 774 citizens of Yerevan have already applied to the Court of the First Instance to restore their right of election.

The press-service of the Armenian Justice Ministry informed ARMINFO that by 1:20 pm. local time, the maximum number of claims were made to the courts of the communities of Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeitoun (180). The fewest number of claims were made to the court of Avan and Nor-Nork communities (28). 150 citizens applied to the court of the Yerevan communities of Erebuni and Nubarashen, 160 in Shengavit, another 175 citizens applied to the Court of the First Instance of the Center and Nork-Marash communities. 81 people applied to the court of Ajapnyan and Davidashen communities. According to the source, there is still no information on the claims received by the Court of the First Instance of the Malatia-Sebastia community and those received by the regional courts.

INFORMATION REPORTED TO HEADQUARTERS OF CIS OBSERVER MISSION TESTIFIES TO STABLE ELECTION PROCESS

FEBRUARY 19. The information reported to the Headquarters of the CIS observer mission that is monitoring the presidential election in Armenia testifies to well-organized work of district election commissions and to a calm voting process, the CIS observer mission reported to ARMINFO.

About 470 international observers are monitoring the presidential election in Armenia, including 65 representatives from 11 CIS countries. The activities of the CIS observer mission are coordinated by Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee Yuri Yarov. The Coordinating Council also includes the deputy of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan P. Atrushkevich, who heads the CIS observer mission, the member of the RF CEC Coordinator of the observer group from the Central Electoral Commissions of the CIS countries Vladimir Butayev, the member of the Council of Federation of the RF Federal Assembly, Head of the observer mission of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Konstantin Markelov, the member of the Foreign Policy Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Russia-Belarus Union, Head of the observer mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Russia-Belarus Union A. Skachkov.

The observers formed 19 groups that are in all Armenian regions to immediately monitor the voting process, the activities of the regional and district election commissions. The "ARMINFO" News Agency also received the information that yesterday the coordinators and other observers visited the polling stations and assessed the election commissions' preparedness for the voting. Head of the observer mission Yuri Yarov got acquainted with the work of regional election commissions in Gyumri and Ashtarak, as well as visited an election district in Spitak.

ARMENIA'S CITIZENS NOT INCLUDED IN VOTERS' LISTS CONTINUE APPLYING TO COURTS

FEBRUARY 19. Armenia's citizens not included in the voters' lists continue applying to courts.

The press service of the Ministry of Justice of Armenia reports that by 1:30 p.m. 1,224 citizens had applied to seven courts in Yerevan to get restored to their civil rights. Regional courts received 1,319 applications. Thus, the number of voters not included in the voters' lists has totaled 2,543.

Today, all 17 minor courts in Yerevan and in Armenia's regions are working. Besides, to render legal assistance to Armenia's citizens the Ministry of Justice has organized round-the-clock duty and a telephone service. Tel: 583177, 582379.

573 485 OR 25% VOTERS HAD TAKEN PART IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BY 13:30

FEBRUARY 19. 25% or 573 485 people of the total number of the voters had already taken part in the Armenian Presidential Election by 13:30 local time, Head of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) Artak Sahradyan said.

According to Sahradyan, 21% or 161 298 voters had participated in the election in Yerevan, most activity being demonstrated by the voters of Yerevan's Shengavit community. Thus, 38.6% or 15 800 people had voted in polling station N12 of the before-mentioned community, 33% or 13 151 people in polling station N13, 36.4% or 14 850 of the total number of voters in polling station N28. 35.8% or 15 348 people voted in polling station N52 of the Shengavit community. As to the participation activity, the voters of the electoral district N53 have established a unique record. By 13:30 local time, 41.8% or 16 851 people of the total number of the voters had performed their civil duty here, CEC Head Sahradyan said.

SERGE SARGSSIAN CONFIDENT IN ROBERT KOCHARIAN'S VICTORY

FEBRUARY 19. The presidential election in Armenia is free, fair and democratic, Head of Robert Kocharian's election staff, Minister of Defense of Armenia, Secretary of the National Security Council Serge Sargssian told reporters. According to him, the voting process is normal and voters are quite active, and he himself votes for consistent political processes in the country.

Serge Sargssian urged all citizens to take part in the voting and be sure that each vote will be taken into account. He expressed confidence that Robert Kocharian will win in the first round. According to him, preliminary results will have become known by 10-11 p.m.

Responding to the question of one of the journalists whether he can be considered the country's future prime minister, Sargssian said: "No, of course not. I will continue at my post." Responding to a rhetorical question: "In what country will the people wake up tomorrow," Sargssian said that there are no people or forces able to change Armenia in a day.

As regards the opposition's signals on falsifications during the election process, Sargssian pointed out that he is informed that the opposition is organizing signals on alleged falsifications and does not see anything unnatural in it. As regards the weather, Sargssian pointed out that in all the regions services are normally functioning, all roads are open and the processes are normal. Speaking of the statement made by the US Ambassador to Armenia that his country will not recognize the election results if falsifications exceed 5%, Sargssian said, "such approaches seem strange to me."

OSCE OBSERVERS RESTRAIN FROM ASSESSING PROCESS OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

FEBRUARY 19. For the present the OSCE observers restrain from assessing the process of the Armenian Presidential Election.

The members of the OSCE Observing Mission told correspondents that the final conclusions of the monitoring held before the Presidential Election will be presented to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) at the end of the election. At the same time, they pointed out that voting is a quite complicated process and some problems may arise. It was also noted that the monitoring held by the OSCE Mission is only a particle of the general monitoring proceeding the Presidential Election and the opinion of the OSCE observers is only a particle of the general picture.

It should be noted that over 5 thousand local and foreign observers will follow the Armenian Presidential election today.

GROUP OF YEZIDS IN ARARAT REGION BEATEN UP: STAFF OF CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENCY ARAM KARAPETYAN

FEBRUARY 19. In the village of Jrashen in the Ararat region a group of persons attacked and beat up representatives of the Yezid population of the village two days ago. The group demanded Yezids to vote in favor of the candidate they would be shown. The pre-election staff of the candidate for presidency Aram Karapetyan told ARMINFO.

The staff reports that the sufferers applied to the Deputy Head of the Armenian Police, General Hovhanness Varyan, who promissed to solve their problems. Later on, the staff reports, an employee of the police department (Yezid by origin) was sent to the sufferers, who dismissed the case, and started propagandizing in favour of incumbent President Robert Kocharyan.

According to the information spread by the staff, the local Yezids are concerned about such a wild treatment and demand the law-inforcement bodies to take relevant measures. According to the sufferers, in those guilty are left free, they would have to ask for political asylum abroad.-

NATIONAL-DEMOCRATIC UNION: MOST VIOLATIONS ARE FIXED IN POLLING STATIONS OF ARMENIAN REGIONS OF ARMAVIR, ARARAT AND KOTAYK

FEBRUARY 19. According to the data of the National-Democratic Union (NDU), by 4:00 pm, most violations of the Presidential Election had been registered in the electoral districts of the Armenian regions of Armavir, Ararat and Kotayk, the head of the pre-electoral staff of the Presidential candidate, Leader of the National-Democratic Union Vazgen Manoukyan, Alexandr Butayev told an ARMINFO correspondent.

According to Butayev, there have been registered numerous facts of intimidation, mass dropping of filled ballot papers, as well as removals of the persons presenting the candidates from the territory of the electoral districts. Thus, according to the head of the staff, there have been fixed evident violations in the polling stations of the town of Echmiadzin. In addition, Butayev said that, according to some sources, the voters were not allowed to enter one of the electoral districts in Yerevan's Avan-Arinj community, some people took the passports from them and gave them back only after "the election of the necessary candidate."

According to another report, some cases were fixed in Artashat when the voters came to the electoral districts with earlier filled ballot papers. A number of violations were registered in Abovyan, and a group of the NDU representatives went to observe the situation there. Butayev said that the observers are informed of all facts of violations. He also said that today's picture very much resemble the 1996 Presidential Election. It should be noted that, according to the opposition and a number of international authoritative observers, it was NDU Leader Vazgen Manoukyan, who really won the 1996 Presidential Election, however Armenian first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan was re-elected by falsifying the election results.

UNKNOWN PERSONS ATTACK REPORTERS OF "SHANT" TV COMPANY

FEBRUARY 19. During the recording of the voting process in Yerevan's Shervanzade School, unknown persons attacked the reporter and the cameraman of the "Shant" TV company, beating them and seizing from them the camera and the video cassette, Press Secretary of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA) Ruzanna Khachatrian told ARMINFO. It is noteworthy that the PPA leader Stepan Demirchian is one of the presidential candidates.

Khachatrian reported that the TV journalists recorded one person dropping several ballot-papers into the ballot-box. According to her, the opposition representatives pursued the attackers, who tried to hide in one of the offices of Robert Kocharian's election staff. The opposition got the camera back, but the cassette was not returned.

The "Shant" TV company confirmed the fact of attack against its staffers, but which particular force the attackers belonged to remains unknown. In one of its news programs the TV company will inform the public of the incident.

ARMENIA'S OPPOSITION DISSATISFIED WITH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PROCESS

FEBRUARY 19. Armenia's opposition forces are extremely dissatisfied with the presidential election process.

Talking to ARMINFO, Press Secretary of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA) Ruzanna Khachatrian said that by 3:00 p.m. a large number of violations of the election legislation had been registered in Armenia. Fr example, in the town of Echmiadzin the member of the Armenian Parliament Hakob Hakobian, who is better known by his nickname Choit, and his supporters, visited a number of polling stations and used the "whirligig" technique, while opposition's authorized representatives were forced to leave the polling stations. One hundred people simultaneously entered polling station N034/14 in Yerevan thus creating confusion, whereas, under the election legislation, more that 15 citizens cannot be in the polling station. Cases of mass open voting for the incumbent President were recorded in a number of polling stations of the country. Khachatrian underlined that such cases were registered in the village of Party in Aragatsotn region, and in several communities in Yerevan, in particular, in Kanaker-Zeitun and Erebuni, as well as in the village of Kokhb, Tavush region. At polling station N0238/11 in Yerevan's Malatia-Sebasti community, chairman of the district election commission was offering the voters 2-3 ballot-papers with the name of the incumbent President ticked off. At polling station N17/37 in Yeghegnadzor, a citizen of Uzbekistan took part in the voting.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN AND ARAM KARAPETYAN MAY ANNOUNCE THEIR WITHDRAWAL FROM ELECTION

FEBRUARY 19. The meeting of the Presidential candidates, Leader of the National Party Stepan Demirchyan and Chairman of the Center of the Strategic Initiatives "Prospect" Aram Karapetyan is fixed for today at 5:00 pm. It should be noted that the "Constitutional Right" party supports Aram Karapetyan's candidacy and over 10 opposition parties in Armenia back Stepan Demirchyan.

Sources close to the staffs of the aforementioned candidates told ARMINFO that both candidates will announce their withdrawal from the election because of numerous falsifications.

It should be noted that, speaking on the Armenian Public Television, Deputy Head of the Armenian Central Electoral Commission (CEC) Hamlet Abrahamyan said that there have not been registered mass violations of the electoral process. The Armenian CEC is checking all violation signals and, as a rule, most of them do not correspond to the reality.

A NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS OBSERVED DURING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA: DATA OF CEC

FEBRUARY 19. A number of violations have been observed in the course of the current election in Armenia. According to Vice Chairman of the Armenian Central Electoral Commission Hamlet Abrahamyan, the CEC operatively responses to any information on violations. In particular, the person representing the candidate for Presidency Stepan Demirchyan, the Armenian MP Vardan Mkrtchyan said the ballot boxes at one of the polling stations have not been properly sealed. New translucent ballot boxes, which were delivered to Armenia before the election with support of the OSCE mission in Yerevan, are not being sealed, as they have their special locks of green color, which cannot be opened without breaking them, Abrahamyan said.

He said the commission received an alarm that at one of the electoral districts in the town of Abovyan, the members of the territorial electoral commission were subjected to pressure and threats, and had to leave the electoral district. A careful examination of the fact showed that it does not correspond to reality, Abrahamyan said. He said the member of Stepan Demirchyan's pre-election staff, the Armenian MP Smbat Yeghiazaryan accompanied by a group of persons is "walking" in the territory of one of the territorial electoral districts, hereby preventing normal work of the local electoral commission. Relevant bodies have already been informed of it, and necessary measures being taken, the member of the Armenia CEC said.

Besides, Hamlet Abrahamyan said that the CEC received another alarm, by the polling station placed at Ernst Telman secondary school in the Arabkir community, according to which the local electoral commission stopped working in connection with the necessity for withdrawing a person representing one of the candidates. A careful examination showed the person representing presidential candidate Aram Sargssyan is in question. He was withdrawn because of preventing normal process of voting. According to the Acting Legislation, in such cases a candidate for presidency has a right to replace the person representing him, Abrahamyan said.

Another alarm was received from the polling station placed at the Al.Shirvanzade secondary school, according to which a safe including ballot papers disappeared from the place. Two CEC members visited the given polling station, and due to measures taken, the safe was returned to the place, Abrahamyan said.

He also said that according to the claim received by the commission, at a polling station placed in the building of the Etchmiadzin Theological Seminary, the local prefect refused from leaving the polling station after voting. All the measures were taken to show him out. In the village of Nor-Kesaria in the Armavir region, persons representing one of the candidates for Presidency tried to remain at the polling station in the full staff and participate in the work of the commission. As a result, they were also shown out.-

NO VIOLATIONS IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN TAVUSH REGION RECORDED

FEBRUARY 19. By 1:30 p.m., some 25% of voters had exercised their right to vote in the Tavush region.

In some districts of the region over 50% of voters had taken part in the voting. Voters are quite active in polling station N56, where 37.2% of voters had exercised their constitutional right by 1:30 p.m.. In polling station N55, 27.6% of voters had cast their votes by that time. The total number of voters is 91,896 in the aforementioned election districts. Observers say that the total number of voters can reach 70% if this voters' turn-out is maintained.

ARAM KARAPETIAN'S ELECTION STAFF REGISTERED NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS IN VOTING PROCESS

FEBRUARY 19. The election staff of the Presidential candidate Aram Karapetian has registered numerous violations in the election process, the election staff told ARMINFO.

According to the source, today, a group of persons burst into polling stations located in Echmiadzin's schools NN 4 and 9, as well as in the Nersissian Collage, forced the opposition representatives to leave the room and dropped 10-20 ballot-papers into the ballot-boxes. In School N4, the member of the election commission Artur Manukian, and in School N9 Aram Karapetian's proxy Aramais Arakelian, were beaten. CEC Chairman Artak Sahradian was informed of the incidents.

At noon, from the village of Bartsrashen, Artashat region, a signal was received from the villagers, who claimed that yesterday the head of the village administration distributed flour among the farmers, simultaneously handing out among them ballot-papers with Robert Kocharian's name ticked off. In School N39, Robert Kocharian's supporter was entering the booths, demanding that people vote in his presence. In School N103 in Yerevan's Kanaker community the head of local administration invited voters to the warden's room and handed out filled ballot-boxes to them. Cases of voters' bribery were also recorded. Such cases were also recorded in Yerevan's Nor-Nork and Shengavit communities.

REPUBLICAN POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED NO ALARMS ON INCIDENTS AT POLLING STATIONS

FEBRUARY 19. No incidents were registered in the course of the Presidential election in Armenia by 5:00 pm. local time, Head of the Public Relations and Press Department of the Armenian Police Artak Vardazaryan told ARMINFO's correspondent. He said the presidential election are held in normal atmosphere, without any information on different excesses.

It should be noted that 10,000 policemen are controlling over the election process throughout the territory of Armenia. Earlier Head of the Armenian Police, Major General Hayk Haroutiunyan said the employees of the law-inforcement bodies will manage to secure law and order in the course of the election.

42.8% OF ARMENIA'S VOTERS HAD VOTED BY 4:30 P.M. LOCAL TIME

FEBRUARY 19. By 4:40 p.m. local time, a total of 982,128 Armenian citizens or 42.8% of voters had taken part in the election of Armenia's president by casting their votes for certain candidates.

CEC Chairman Artak Sahradian reported that 249,735 citizens or 33.7% of voters had taken part in the voting in Yerevan. In Armenia's regions the situation is as follows: the Aragatsotn region 43,746 citizens or 47.3%; Armavir 51.4%; Gegharkunik 45.1%; Lori 44.2%; Kotayk 43.2%; Shirak 38.6%; Syunik 55.9%; Vaiots Dzor 53.7%; Ararat 51.6%; Tavush 53.9%. The voting is to be finished at 8:00 p.m. local time.

OVER THIRD OF ARMENIA'S CITIZENS RESIDING IN MOSCOW TOOK PART IN VOTING

FEBRUARY 19. Over a third of Armenia's citizens residing in Moscow have taken part in the election of Armenia's President, Armenian Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatian told ARMINFO.

According to him, by 4:30 p.m. local time (5:30 p.m. Yerevan time), 1,600 of 4,000 Armenian citizens enjoying the right to vote had taken part in the voting in Moscow. "The election is being held without any incidents. The voters are most active," Smbatian said.

7.429 CITIZENS OF ARMENIA APPLIED TO COURTS TO RESTORE THEIR ELECTORAL RIGHTS

FEBRUARY 19. 7.429 citizens of Armenia have already applied to the courts to restore their electoral rights. Almost all submitted applications have been satisfied.

The press service of the Armenian Justice Ministry told an ARMINFO correspondent that, according to the data received by 4:00 pm, 3.134 voters had applied to Yerevan's 7 courts of the first instance. From all submitted applications only 4 were not satisfied, in the courts situated in Yerevan's communities of Avan and Nor Nork. In addition, 4.295 citizens of Armenia applied to the courts of the first instance. It should be noted that on Feb 19, the day of the Armenian Presidential Election, all 17 republican courts of the first instance are working in full strength.

4 OPPOSITION CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENCY INTENSIVELY NEGOTIATE FOR RECOGNITION OF ELECTION RESULTS NULL AND VOID

FEBRUARY 19. At present, 4 opposition candidates for Presidency are actively negotiating for recognition of the election results null and void. Plenipotentiary Representative of the candidate for Presidency Artashes Geghamyan, the Armenian MP Aghasi Arshakyan told ARMINFO's correspondent today.

He said the negotiators are, in particular, Leader of the People's Party Stepan Demirchyan, Chairman of the National Unity party Artashes Geghamyan, Head of the National-Democratic Union party Vazgen Manoukyan and Head of the Center of Strategic Initiatives "Prospective" Aram Karapetyan. The negotiations were necessitated by a great number of violations of the Electoral Code. Arshakyan said that at present the candidates consult on preparation of a joint statement on recognizing the election null and void.

FREE AND FAIR ELECTION IN ARMENIA ENDANGERED: 4 OPPOSITION CANDIDATES

FEBRUARY 19. Free and fair Presidential election in Armenia and the country's international authority are endangered, said 4 opposition candidates: Leader of the People's Party Stepan Demirchyan, Leader of the National Unity party Artashes Geghamyan, Leader of National-Democratic Union Vazgen Manoukyan, Head of the Center of Strategic Initiatives "Prospect" Aram Karapetyan.

It is the mass violations of the Electoral Code in the course of the election that necessitated the statement. According to the authors of the statement, these are the last efforts of the incumbent president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan to maintain his power by all means possible. "The four" are sure that he will fail to do this.

CC READY TO CONSIDER COMPLAINTS OF ELECTION RESULTS: GAGIK HARUTIUNIAN

FEBRUARY 19. "The Constitutional Court of Armenia may receive the presidential candidates' complaints of the election results," CC Chairman Gagik Harutinian told reporters.

He stressed that international experts can come t Armenia to settle possible disputes. Harutiunian reported that a relevant official application has been sent to the European Commission. He believes that international experts' participation will allow the right legal resolutions to be made. According to Harutiunian, complaints can be lodged with the CC within seven days after the election results are summarized.

MEMBERS OF ELECTORAL COMMISSIONS OF THREE OPPOSITION PARTIES LEFT ALL POLLING STATIONS OF ECHMIADZIN, ARMAVIR REGION

FEBRUARY 19. The members of the electoral commissions of the opposition parties "National Unity," "National-Democratic Union" and Communist party, as well as persons presenting the opposition candidates for the Presidency as an act of protest left all polling stations of the town of Echmiadzin, Armavir region.

The press service of the Communist Party of Armenia (CPA) told ARMINFO that the act of protest of the opposition representatives is explained by the fact that the Armenian MP Hakob Hakobyan, known by the nickname Choit, "together with his like-minders," had been dropping ballot papers into the ballot boxes in different electoral districts of Echmiadzin.

CEC CONTINUES RECEIVING INFORMATION ON VIOLATIONS

FEBRUARY 19. The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia continues receiving signals on violations in the election process.

CEC Press Secretary Lilit Sedrakian reported that most of the signals concern the ballot-boxes, which cannot hold more than 1,000 ballot-papers. Sedrakian said that Armenia's authorities discussed the problem with OSCE mission, which provided the ballot-boxes. The OSCE mission have assurances that each ballot-box can hold over 4,000 ballot-papers, and ordinary rulers will solve the problem.

The CEC Press Secretary also reported that the information from the CEC can be receives on the Internet site www.elections.am. She also reported that the voting process is now active at all polling stations.

ARMENIA CEC FURTHER FIXES VIOLATIONS DURING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

FEBRUARY 19. The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia further fixes violations in the course of the presidential election in the country.

CEC Secretary Anna Aleksanyan said during the period since 3:00 pm. when the commission started reporting on the fixed violations, up to 5:00 pm. 4 alarms of violations were fixed. One of them refers the fact of beating of the person representing the candidate for presidency Aram Karapetyan at one of the polling stations, as well as dropping of ballot papers filled up beforehand into ballot boxes. The given facts have not been confirmed, Aleksanyan said.

Besides, the commission still receives claims that at several polling stations old stamps are used. The given fact was confirmed, as in the course of all the elections in Armenia the same stamps are used.

As regards the claims on the infringement of the rights of the persons representing candidates, she said these fact are currently in the examination process, and in case of their corresponding to reality, all the necessary measures will be taken to eliminate such acts. It should be noted that the pre-election staff sometimes provide false facts and, it is known that it happens only when these persons try to enter the polling station three together, which contradicts to the Electoral Code.

As regards the fact that several translucent ballot boxes have already been filled up with ballot papers, she said, it is really possible that not all the ballot papers will "get in" the boxes, she said.

2,336 CITIZENS OF ARMENIA RESIDING ABROAD PARTICIPATED IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BY 5:00 PM.

FEBRUARY 19. The Armenian citizens residing in foreign countries could discharge their civic duty participating in the presidential election in Armenia. They voted in 35 polling stations opened at 33 diplomatic missions of Armenia abroad, as by 2 polling stations have been opened both in Moscow and Los Angeles.

According to the press-service of the Armenian CEC, by 5:00 pm. local time, 19 citizens voted in Abu-Dhabi, 71 in Athens, 121 in Almaty, 21 in Ashkhabad, 40 in Beirut, 19 in Berlin, 205 in Brussels, 16 in Bucharest, 41 in Damascus, 10 in Deli, 12 in Tehran, 20 in Tbilisi, 9 in Geneve, 12 in Cairo, 22 in Kiev, 7 in London, 30 in Minsk. A total of 2,366 citizens of Armenia participated in the presidential election by 5:00 pm. local time. Because of different time zones, no information on the electors' activity have been received from the polling stations in Buenos Aires, Los Angeles , Washington, Ottawa and San Paolo.

BY 7:30 PM 1,216,503 OR 53% OF TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTERS HAD PARTICIPATED IN FEB 19 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

FEBRUARY 19. 1,216,503 people had voted in Armenia by 7:00 pm local time, which totals 53% of the voters' total number, Head of the Armenian Central Electoral Commission Artak Sahradyan told correspondents.

According to Sahradyan, in all 1.865 electoral districts of the republic the voting process was held in normal way and without excess. 3,764 voters performed their civil duty abroad, the majority of them voted in the capital of Russia. It should be noted that on 8:00 pm local time voting in Armenia was stopped. The first preliminary results of the Presidential Election are expected to be received on 11:00 pm.

730 DEFENDANTS PARTICIPATED IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 19. 730 citizens of Armenia kept at penitentiaries of Armenia participated in the Presidential election in the country. 25 citizens refused from participating in the election. According to the relevant law, the persons against whom the court has not brought in any verdict yet are allowed to participate in the election.

The greatest number these citizens - 529 people are kept at the Nubarashen penitentiary. Head of penitentiary Khachik Sargssyan said no one of them has refused to participate in the election yet, with a strengthened regime of security being provided at the penitentiary for normal election process. Sargssyan also said that no pressure ahs been exerted on the defendants. The defendants hope that their elected president will announce amnesty on the occasion of his election.

Besides 14 women kept at the penitentiary "Abovyan" participated in the election. Over 20 observers and journalists monitored the election there. However, the observes refrained from any comments.

VAZGEN MANUKIAN: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WERE RATHER DIRTY

FEBRUARY 19. The presidential election in Armenia, completed two hours ago, was rather dirty. The candidate for presidency, the leader of the National-democratic union Vazgen Manukian told ARMINFO.

According to him, operative data of the course of elections and fixed violations are being examined currently. Vazgen Manukian said that though in several electoral districts the elections passed rather peacefully and calmly, in another ones, on the contrary, several violations were fixed. In particular, it concerns the electoral districts of the Armavir and Ararat regions. As for that how much will the violations during the elections influence their final result, then the number of these breaches is so great that may have a "fundamental significance".

OVER 10,000 CITIZENS APPLY TO COURTS FOR RESTORING THEIR SUFFRAGE

FEBRUARY 19.10,431 citizens of Armenia have applied to the country's courts for restoring their suffrage. According to the press service of Justice Ministry, as of 8 pm 4,691 citizens had applied to 7 trial courts of Yerevan. Least of all, 87, applications were filed to the court of the Avan and Nor Nork communities, and most of all, 1,047, to the court of the Malatia and Sebastia communities. 552 applications were filed in Achapnyak and Davidashen, 647 in Erebuni and Nubarashen, 636 in Shengavit, 722 in Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeytun, 950 in Center and Nork-Marash.

In the regions the biggest number of similar applications was registered in Lori - 1,263 and Ararat 926. The service of legal assistance of Justice Ministry has so far received 932 phone calls. It should be noted that during the parliamentary elections of 1999 there were 15,700 cases of restoration of electoral right.

OSCE OBSERVATION MISSION RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT VIOLATIONS OF ELECTORAL PROCESS

FEBRUARY 19. The OSCE observation mission has received numerous complaints about violations during the electoral process. The Head of the OSCE mission Peter Eicker told ARMINFO.

According to him, the OSCE mission has received complaints from election teams of both opposition and pro-position candidates, Peter Eicker stressed that representatives of OSCE mission work on all the applications. The mission will present the society with a corresponding response after summing up the preliminary results of the presidential election on Feb 20.

FIRST RESULTS OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA RECEIVED

FEBRUARY 19. The first results of the presidential election of Armenia have been received from the small village of Antaramut, Lori region.

According to the preliminary information received by ARMINFO at the electoral headquarters of presidential candidate, head of the Center for Strategic Initiatives "Prospect" Aram Karapetyan, of the 200 villagers having the right to vote, 82 people gave their votes to leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan, 59 to incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan. 21 residents of Antaramut voted for leader of the national Unity party Artashes Geghamyan, 7 for Aram Karapetyan. Only one villager have his vote to leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram Sargsyan, who is not participating in the race de facto. 6 ballot papers were declared invalid, 1 villager voted against all of the candidates.

NO SERIOUS VIOLATIONS REGISTERED DURING TODAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA: MEMBER OF PRES.KOCHARYAN'S ELECTORAL STAFF

FEBRUARY 19. According to the preliminary data, no serious violations were registered during today s presidential election in Armenia, says member of Pres.Kocharyan's electoral staff Vahagn Mkrtchyan.

His first impression was that the election was quite successful. Nevertheless there were some signals about violations. It's up to the Central Electoral Commission to give assessments to these signals. That's why Kocharyan's electoral staff refrains from any comments for the time being. The violation-related data collected by representatives of Kocharyan's electoral staff will be summarized and submitted to the CEC.

More specifically, in one of the polling stations of the Malaria-Sebastia community one citizen, voting for Stepan Demirtchyan, tried to use another person's passport. In another polling station of the same community, canvassers of Demirtchyan tried to exert pressure on the member of the local territorial EC. In the polling station situated in Alexander Pushkin school supporters of Artashes Geghamyan sent more than one attorney, which is against the law. For some four hours a group of 300-400 people tried to hamper the work of Kocharyan's electoral staff situated in Yerevan's Nor Nork community. They were turned out of the building with much difficulty.

A similar situation was created in the polling station situated in school N 103 of the Kanaker-Zeytun community. A group of "former warriors" is reported to have been driving around the city during the day, breaking into the community's polling stations, threatening members of the local ECs and spreading rumors that Kocharyan's family has already left Armenia by plane. Even the OSCE observers know about that. The warriors vanished as soon as the police were informed of their feats.

There were also facts of publishing "black PR" materials in the Feb 18 issue of Iravunk, that is a day before the election, which is illegal. Presidential candidate Artashes Geghamyan told the ALM TV company that Kocharyan "is agonizing." Such statements are also banned by the law. Those who are so ardently asserting "the spirit and letter of law and speak about high values" better follow it themselves as the law is written not only for Kocharyan's electoral staff, Mkrtchyan concluded.

VAHAGN MKRTCHIAN CALL STRANGE STATEMENT OF FOUR CANDIDATES FROM OPPOSITION ABOUT VIOLATIONS DURING VOTING

FEBRUARY 19. Vahagn Mkrtchian, person in charge of propaganda of the election team of the incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharian, called "strange" the statement of several candidates from the opposition, concerning violations during the voting. It should be noted that the candidates for presidency Vazgen Manukian, Aram Karapetian, Artashes Geghamian and Stepan Demirchian spread a statement, saying that the actions of Robert Kocharian endanger conducting of free and fair election.

Commenting on this document Mkrtchian noted that the election team of Stepan Demirchian refuted the fact of joining the statement, whereupon the CEC received a statement from opposition candidates, which was soon called back. Then one more statement was spread, to which a man signed, who didn't take part in the presidential election. The election team of Robert Kocharian tried to clear up whether there is such a text in the application to the CEC or not, but the members of the Commission stated that they had not received a similar document, in which connection the statement remained "uncertain" and it's very difficult to comment on it. As soon as the CEC receives such a statement, the election team of Robert Kocharian will immediately respond to it, Mkrtchian mentioned.

He stressed that the people, who has spoken and are continuing to speak about violations, had violated the electoral law themselves. In particular, the question is about non-admission of spreading false information regarding the candidates, and aspersions were always cast on one of the candidates, anti-propagandist materials concerning him were published. The CEC is well-informed about all this, at that the election team of Robert Kocharian expresses bewilderment with the circumstance that the CEC has allowed similar facts, not taking any measures for their prevention, Vahagn Mkrtchian said. He noted that the CEC has received a whole package of facts of outrages, aspersions and lies regarding one of the candidates - in this case the incumbent president, heard during the pre-election rallies of the opposition and published in the press, which is a gross violation of law.

COVERAGE OF ELECTION BY ARMENIAN MASS MEDIA WAS UNFAIR, UNBALANCED AND PRECONCEIVED

FEBRUARY 19. Coverage of the presidential election in Armenia by local mass media was unjust, unbalanced and preconceived. The Deputy Director of the Caucasian Institute of mass media Marc Grigorian, who was carrying out a monitoring the mass media, told ARMINFO. According to him, such a result was caused by the preparation phase, which went at the lowest level possible.

Grigorian expressed an opinion that the election passed without violations and falsifications, but he doesn't think that the violations were of deep and all-embracing nature. Grigorian thinks that the behavior of the opposition leaders, who prejudice the results of the election, is natural. He said that the opposition is interested in that the election were fair and democratic, as otherwise it doesn't have chances for victory.

MILITARY CONTINGENTS OF BATUMI AND AKHALKALAKI BASES TO BE TRANSFERRED TO RUSSIA

FEBRUARY 19. Russia will not disband the military contingents of the Batumi and Akhalkalaki bases in Georgia, Russia's Minister of Industry and Science Ilya Klebanov said after today's round of the Russian-Georgian military talks. They will be transferred to Russia the way there are.

"We already know how much it is to build such a base with residential area." Klebanov said that to withdraw the bases quickly the Russian side needs sponsors. The Georgian side says it is already searching for them and there is some progress in the matter.-

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA COMPLIED WITH NORMS OF LOCAL ELECTORAL LEGISLATION: CIS OBSERVER

FEBRUARY 19. Today's presidential election in Armenia complied with the norms of the local electoral legislation, chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of Belarus, member of the CIS observation mission Lidia Yermoshina told ARMINFO.

She said that the CIS observers did not register any cases of pressure or intimidation. The turnout was quite high. Yermoshina said that she talked to district attorneys of some of the candidates and they told her that the election was proceeding freely and fairly. As for the Electoral Code of Armenia, Yermoshina said that it needs certain revision, particularly, concerning invalids who cannot vote because the code does not envisage voting at home or by mail.

Yermoshina said that judging by the abundance of electoral posters one can infer that much more money has been spent on the electoral campaign than prescribed by the law. In this context she said that the opposition's statements about numerous violations resemble the behavior of a defeated party in a lawsuit. Invalidation of an election requires serious substantiation. "When a candidate loses an election he harries to point to violations not to admit that simply he has not been supported by his voters," Yermoshina said.-

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS TOOK PART IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

FEBRUARY 19. The Catholicos of All Armenians and the supreme clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church took part in the presidential election in Armenia today.

After the traditional morning prayer the clergymen, headed by the Supreme Patriarch went to the electoral district. According to Garegin II, the clergymen prayed, asking the God to send a peace and quiet to Armenia and the Armenian people.

In all the elections, held in the history of the Third Republic, the Armenian clergy has voted in one of the electoral districts, situated in the territory of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin. The surname of only one clergyman was absent at the electoral lists, who then restored his right to vote through the court.

STATEMENT OF OPPOSITION ON RECOGNIZING RESULTS OF ELECTION INVALID GROUNDLESS

FEBRUARY 19. The statements of the opposition on recognizing the results of the elections invalid because of numerous violations are unsupported by evidence, as in the text of the statements there are not actual proofs of vases of violation of law. The Chairman of the Executive Committee, the CIS Executive Secretary Yuri Yarov told ARMINFO.

According to him, the statement, most likely has political motives than juridical basis of facts of violation of laws. "Moreover, the election passed within the law, despite separate roughnesses, which cannot influence their results", Yuri Yarov stressed.

OPPOSITION TO MAKE STATEMENT AND TO HOLD RALLY THURSDAY

FEBRUARY 19. A number of opposition candidates for Armenian presidency are going to make a statement and to hold a rally Thursday. According to presidential, candidate, head of the Center for Strategic Initiatives "Prospect" Aram Karapetyan, at least four candidates will be make a joint statements on most serious violations during today's presidential election. Expected to join the statement are Aram Karapetyan, leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan, leader of the National Unity party Artashes Geghamyan and leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia Vazgen Manoukyan.

The press secretary of the PPA told ARMINFO that Demirtchyan and his supporters are going to rally Thursday 2 pm. It is not known yet if other candidates will join Demirtchyan and Karapetyan. Meanwhile the press secretary noted that the violations continue. For example the PPA's staff has just received a signal about stealing of a ballot-box from the polling station in Gogol school, Erebuni community.-

ROBERT KOCHARIAN'S ELECTION TEAM HAS INFORMATION

FEBRUARY 19. The election team of Robert Kocharian has an information about beating of an operator of the TV company "Shant" during the process of the election. Vahagn Mkrtchian, persons in charge of propaganda of the election team of the incumbent president of Armenia Robert Kocharian told the journalists.

According to his information, the following took place - a woman, empowered to act for Stepan Demirchian, tried to hinder the work of the local electoral committee. Then a group of unknown persons rushed into the territory of the electoral district and fight began, which was filmed by a cameraman of the TV company "Shant", who also turned to be involved in the scuffle and was beaten. Mkrtchian said that the information about noninterference of the police is not true, as the policemen took from unknown persons the vide camera and returned it to the suffered operator. The circumstances of the incident are being elucidated, Vahagn Mkrtchian said.

61.9% OF TOTAL NUMBER OF ELECTORS TOOK PART IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

FEBRUARY 19. According to the data of the Central electoral commission of Armenia, 1,420,344 people or 61.9% of the total number of the electors took part in the presidential election in the country. The CEC Chairman Artak Sahradian informed.

According to him, in Yerevan 429,810 people or 58.1% of the total number of electors took part in the election, in Ararat region - 68.6% of total number of electors, in Armavir - 67.5%, Gegharkunik - 65.3%, Lori - 58.9%, Kotayk - 62.1%, Shirak - 54.2%, Syunik - 72.3%, Vayots Dzor - 66.2% and Tavoush region - 67.6%. The snowstorm prevents to collect full data in Aragatsotn region, the CEC head said.

ARMENIAN BANK DEALERS PREDICT SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OF USD RATE IN CASE OF SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 19. Armenia's bank dealer predict a substantial growth of USD rate in case of the second round of the presidential election.

Abstaining from specifying the possible level of resistance line, they said that though the growth will be rather sharp, EUR will nevertheless retain its prevalence over USD. In this case the CB will effect an intervention two weeks before the second round. The dealers were unable to give specific figures.

As of today the average USD rate on the retail currency market has reached 590 AMD per 1 USD. In the last two months the CB has effected 4 interventions for a total of $17 mln: three in Jan and one, the biggest ever ($7.6 mln), in Feb. The leaders also noted that the excess of AMD liquidity has grown from 1 bln AMD to 2.5 bln AMD in the last week

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA WENT OFF WITHOUT SERIOUS VIOLATIONS: ARMENIA'S PM

FEBRUARY 20. Armenia's PM Andranik Margaryan told journalists a few hours ago that the Feb 19 presidential election went off without any serious violations. He added that there will hardly be any in the next few hours.

POLITICAL MISTAKES LOST INCUMBENT PRESIDENT SIGNIFICANT PART OF HIS ELECTORATE

FEBRUARY 19. Having committed numerous political mistakes Pres.Kocharyan has lost a significant party of his electorate, though in the very beginning of his electoral campaign his rating was quite high, presidential candidate, head of the Center for Strategic Initiatives "Prospect" Aram Karapetyan told ARMINFO. Some people in Kocharyan's camp "bestowed a doubtful benefit upon him" forcing people to take part in meetings and using other unpopular administrative measures. These awkward actions caused an opposite reaction among ordinary people. Some people, whom Karapetyan preferred not to name, implemented this policy deliberately. As a result, the authorities were forced to resort to obvious violations and crying falsification using any known and unknown technologies of interference in an electoral process.

However, Karapetyan is sure that Kocharyan will not be re-elected despite all this rigging and the second round will see a struggle of two opposition candidates.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN'S ELECTION TEAM SATISFIED WITH COURSE OF ELECTION

FEBRUARY 20. The election team of the incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharian is satisfied with the course of presidential election. Vahagn Mkrtchian, person in charge of propaganda of the election team of the president told the journalists.

On behalf of the election team he has stated that the election went fairly and freely, despite several attempts of provocations by the opposition. On the whole, it was succeed to ensure free right of choice of the citizens of the republic. The team considers this election as a serious forward step compared with the previous ones. two opposition candidates.

STEPAN DEMIRTCHYAN LEADS IN VILLAGERS OF NOYEMBERYAN DISTRICT

FEBRUARY 20. According to the electoral staff of the People's Party of Armenia, PPA leader Stepan Demirtchyan is leading in the villages of the Noyemberyan district. In Voskepar 400 people voted for Demirtchyan and only 20 for President Kocharyan. In Baganis 333 for Demirtchyan against 50 for Kocharyan.

In some of Yerevan's electoral districts, particularly, in the polling station situated in school N 27 Demirtchyan received 490 votes, while Kocharyan 310. However, in the polling station in Shevchenko school and the polling station N 0092 of Shengavit Kocharyan polled 366 and 377 votes against Demirtchyan's 234 and 257, respectively.- two opposition candidates.

ELECTORS OF 53rd DISTRICT PREFER ROBERT KOCHARIAN

FEBRUARY 20. According to preliminary data, received by the Central electoral commission, the electors of the 53rd district gave preference to the incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharian.

The Press Secretary of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia lilit Sedrakian informed, 30,866 people took part in the voting in this district. 40 of them voted for Rouben Avagian, 543 - for Artashes Geghamian, 3,744 - for Stepan Demirchian, 247 - for Aram Karapetian, 8 - for Aram Haroutunian, 216 - for Vazgen Manukian, 10 - for Garnik Margarian, 45 - for Aram Sargsian and 14,838 - for Robert Kocharian. 81 electors voted against all of the candidates, Sedrakian informed. two opposition candidates.

MOST OF ARMENIANS LIVING ABROAD VOTE FOR PRES.KOCHARYAN

FEBRUARY 20. Most of the Armenians living abroad have voted for the incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan According to secretary o the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia Anna Alexanyan, in Abu Dabi (UAE) Kocharyan received 48 votes, Stepan Demirtchyan 4, Artashes Geghamyan 2, Ruben Avagyan 1 and the other candidates 0.

In Almaty (Kazakhstan) Kocharyan polled 206 votes, Demirtchyan 12, Geghamyan 2, Manoukyan 1, 2 people voted against all the candidates. In Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) Kocharyan received 20 votes, Demirtchyan 5 and all the other candidates 0. In Damascus Kocharyan 39, Demirtchyan 8, Manoukyan 1, 2 voted against all. In Tehran Kocharyan 59, Geghamyan 3, Demirtchyan 2, Aram Karapetyan 2, Manoukyan 1, 1 against all.

In Tbilisi Kocharyan 48, Demirtchyan 20, Geghamyan 9, Manoukyan 1, Aram Sargsyan 1, 2 against all. In Moscow Kocharyan 285, Demirtchyan 43, Geghamyan 21, Manoukyan 1, Sargsyan 1. In Beijing Kocharyan 26, Geghamyan 3, Demirtchyan 2, Karapetyan 2, Manoukyan 2, Sargsyan 1, 4 against all. In Sofia Kocharyan 49, Geghamyan 16, Demirtchyan 3, Manoukyan 1, 2 people voted against all the candidates. two opposition candidates.

5,453 ARMENIAN CITIZENS, LIVING ABROAD, TOOK PART IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 20. 5,453 Armenian citizens, living abroad, took part in the presidential election in Armenia. The Secretary of the Central Electoral Commission Anna Alexanian informed. She said that according to the data of the CEC for 23:00 at Yerevan time, 56 people voted in Abu-Dabi, Athens - 196, Almati - 226, Ashgabat - 25, Beirut - 103, Berlin - 53, Brussels - 87, Buenos-Aires - 33, Bucharest - 47, Damascus - 52, Delhi - 10, Tehran - 68, Tbilisi - 84, Geneva - 27, Cairo - 40 and Kiev 130 electors. In connection with the difference in time in other cities the citizens of Armenia continue voting. 465 electors have already voted in Los Angeles, London - 20, Minsk - 110. In two electoral districts of Moscow - 1,918 electors, New York - 10, Aleppo - 121, Rome - 18, Washington - 10. Warsaw - 41, Vienna - 31, Ottawa - 3, Beijing - 42, Paris - 152, San-Paolo - 13, St.Petersburg - 1,224, Sofia - 71 and Strasbourg - 17 electors, Alexanian informed.

IN DILIJAN STEPAN DEMIRCHIAN IS IN LEAD

FEBRUARY 20. According to preliminary data of the election team of the candidate for presidency, the leader of the People party Stepan Demirchian, in the town Dilijan and village Kakhsi Stepan Demirchian is in the lead.

ARMINFO was informed in the press service of the PPA, only in the district 17/84 of the town Dilijan, Robert Kocharian is in the first place, who collected 555 votes, then follows Stepan Demirchian - 413 votes, the leader of the party "National unity" Artashes Geghamian - 121 votes. In the district 17/86 of Dilijan Stepan Demirchian is in the lead with 381 votes, Robert Kocharian is in the second place - 321, and Artashes Geghamian is in the third place - 106 votes. In the district 17/87 of Dilijan Stepan Demirchian collected 434 votes, Robert Kocharian - 118 and Artashes Geghamian - 52. In the district 17/89 - Stepan Demirchian - 401 votes, Robert Kocharian - 196 and Artashes Geghamian - 62. In the district Robert Kocharian is in the lead with 285 votes, then follows Demirchian with 222 votes and Artashes Geghamian - 95 votes. In the village Kakhsi Demirchian is in the lead with 549 votes, Artashes Geghamian - 265 votes and Robert Kocharian - 170 votes.

PRES.KOCHARYAN IN THE LEAD IN SOME ELECTORAL DISTRICTS

FEBRUARY 20. According to the preliminary results of the Feb 19 presidential election, incumbent Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has far outrun his rivals in some electoral districts

According to vice chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia Hamlet Abrahamyan, 6,336 people took part in the voting in the 33rd polling station, Myasnikyan, Armavir region, which is 66% of the total number of voters there: 18 voted fir Ruben Avagyan, 530 for Artashes Geghamyan, 822 for Stepan Demirtchyan, 55 for Aram Karapetyan, 5 for Aram Haroutyunyan, 35 for Vazgen Manoukyan, 1 for Garnik Margaryan, 4 for Aram Sargsyan and 2,671 for Kocharyan.

In the polling station N 50 of Artik, Shirak region, of 7,740 votes: Ruben Avagyan polled 22, Artashes Geghamyan 1,807, Stepan Demirtchyan 1,841, Aram Karapetyan 173, Aram Haroutyunyan 6, Vazgen Manoukyan 24, Garnik Margaryan 1, Aram Sargsyan 8 and Kocharyan 3,724.

In the polling station N 52 of Goris, Syunik region, of 1,562 votes: Ruben Avagyan polled 3, Artashes Geghamyan 60, Stepan Demirtchyan 218, Aram Karapetyan 36, Aram Haroutyunyan 0, Vazgen Manoukyan 12, Garnik Margaryan 0, Aram Sargsyan 3 and Kocharyan 1,114. In the polling station N 33 of Gegarkunik region, of 4,290 votes: Ruben Avagyan polled 40, Artashes Geghamyan 886, Stepan Demirtchyan 882, Aram Karapetyan 127, Aram Haroutyunyan 4, Vazgen Manoukyan 19, Garnik Margaryan 0, Aram Sargsyan 10 and Kocharyan 2,259.-

PRES.KOCHARYAN IN THE LEAD IN THREE ELECTORAL DISTRICTS OF SHIRAK REGION

FEBRUARY 20. According to the preliminary results incumbent Armenian President Robert Kocharyan is in the lead of the Feb 19 presidential race.

According to the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia, in the 47th electoral district of Shirak region, Robert Kocharyan 7 854, Artashes Geghamyan 1 956, Stepan Demirtchyan 2 358, Aram Karapetyan 420, Ruben Avagyan 38, Vazgen Manoukyan 96, Aram Sargsyan 20, Garnik Margaryan 11, Aram Haroutyunyan 8. In the 48th and 49th electoral districts, Kocharyan polled 2,232 and 1,157, Geghamyan 389 and 203, Demirtchyan 572 and 213 respectively.

ACCORDING TO PPA'S ELECTORAL STAFF STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN IS IN THE LEAD IN YEREVAN

FEBRUARY 20. According to the electoral staff of the People's Party of Armenia, PPA leader Stepan Demirchyan is leading in Yerevan.

According to the head of Demirtchyan's electoral staff Grikor Haroutyunyan, according to the preliminary results in Yerevan Demirtchyan polled 39% of the votes. Incumbent Armenian President Robert Kocharyan is only the third after leader of National Unity Artashes Geghamyan.

Haroutyunyan said that the preliminary information of the Central Electoral Commission does not reflect the real picture. Presently the process of counting of the votes has been stopped in Yerevan as the authorities feel that they are failing to ensure figures necessary for Kocharyan's victory.

PERSONS PRESENTING STEPAN DEMIRCHIAN PURPOSELY THROWN OUT OF POLL STATIONS: HEAD OF ELECTION TEAM

FEBRUARY 20. Generating tension in electoral districts the authorities make attempts to throw out of poll stations the persons, who present the candidate for presidency, the leader of the People's party Stepan Demirchian.

As it is mentioned in the letter of the election team of Stepan Demirchian addressed to the Chairman of the Central Electoral Committee of Armenia Artak Sahradian, similar cases took place in the poll stations N1100/38, 0619/23, 1261/42, 1262/42, 1266/42 and in the electoral district in Yerevan's Derzhinsky school. "Similar actions pursue an aim to exclude the presence of our representatives during the summary counting of votes, and summing up of the results of voting during the absence of our representatives cannot be considered legal and don't guarantee the transparency of votes", said in the letter.

OPPOSITION INTENDS TO PROTECT JUSTICE BY ALL LEGAL MEANS

FEBRUARY 20. The Armenian opposition is going to use any legal means to protect justice, presidential candidate, leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram Sargsyan said at a press-conference today night.

"We must protect the people's position and attain a victory it deserves," Sargsyan said adding that the opposition's actions will be adequate to those taken by the government. In his turn, head of the electoral staff of leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan Grikor Haroutyunyan said that the opposition will not resign itself to the numerous falsifications registered during the election. Haroutyunyan blamed the authorities for possible clashes. "Every force has a counter-force," he said.

Leader of the Bloc of National Democrats, MP Arshak Sadoyan, who supports Demirtchyan, said that the latter has outrun his rivals, including Kocharyan. The question is whether Kocharyan makes so bold as to announce his victory in the first round. The government's scenario of the election is - no matter how the people votes, what matters is what the commissions think. In conclusion the oppositionists announced that they are holding a rally later in the day.-

ROBERT KOCHARIAN CONTINUES TO BE IN LEAD IN RACE OF CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENCY

FEBRUARY 20. The incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharian continues to take the first place in the race of candidates for presidency.

According to the Central Electoral Commission, 20,748 electors took part in voting in the town Vanadzor. 55 of them voted for Ruben Avagian, 3,354 - for Artashes Geghamian, Stepan Demirchian - 4,259, Aram Karapetian - 780, Aram haroutunian - 22, Vazgen Manukian - 120, Garnik Margarian - 16, Aram Sargsian - 14, Robert Kocharian - 11,416 votes.

The CEC has received the data of tree territorial poll stations of Yerevan's Avan community. 5,552 electors took part in voting. Ruben Avagian polled 15 votes, Artashes Geghamian - 666, Stepan Demirchian - 999, Aram Karapetian - 111, Aram Haroutunian - 4, Vazgen Manukian - 43, Garnik Margarian - 0, Aram Sargsian - 1 and Robert Kocharian - 1,088.

Results in 6 territorial poll stations are summed up in the community Kanaker-Zeytun. 4,644 citizens took part in voting. The number of inaccuracies - 2. Ruben Avagian polled 1 vote. Artashes Geghamian - 878, Stepan Demirchian - 1,250, Aram Karapetian - 144, Aram Haroutunian - 2, Vazgen Manukian - 191, Garnik Margarian - 3, Aram Sargsian - 2 and Robert Kocharian - 2,022 votes.

Results in 14 territorial poll stations are summed up in the community Nork-Marash. 13,522 citizens took part in voting. Thus, Ruben Avagian polled 46 votes, Artashes Geghamian - 2,172, Stepan Demirchian - 3,736, Aram Karapetian - 308, Aram Haroutunian - 5, Vazgen Manukian - 173, Garnik Margarian - 8, Aram Sargsian - 12 and Robert Kocharian - 7,057 votes.

In other 6 territorial electoral districts of Kanaker-Zeytun the number of voters was 5,783. Ruben Avagian polled 12 votes, Artashes Geghamian - 1,060, Stepan Demirchian - 1,445, Aram Karapetian - 130, Aram Haroutunian - 4, Vazgen Manukian - 78, Garnik Margarian - 2, Aram Sargsian - 7 and Robert Kocharian - 2,632 votes. Results of 20 territorial poll stations of yerevan's Achapnyak community. 18,000 electors took part there. Ruben Avagian polled 58 votes, Artashes Geghamian - 5,239, Stepan Demirchian - 5,732, Aram Karapetian - 625, Aram Haroutunian - 18, Vazgen Manukian - 219, Garnik Margarian - 8, Aram Sargsian - 8 and Robert Kocharian - 5,373 votes.

In the second electoral district the results on 9 territorial electoral commissions, where the number of voters was 10,129, were summed up. Ruben Avagian polled 48 votes, Artashes Geghamian - 2,047, Stepan Demirchian - 3,126, Aram Karapetian - 305, Aram Haroutunian - 8, Vazgen Manukian - 111, Garnik Margarian - 11, Aram Sargsian - 7 and Robert Kocharian - 3,155 votes.

PRES.KOCHARYAN CONTINUES LEADING IN PRESIDENTIAL RACE

FEBRUARY 20. According to the preliminary data of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia, incumbent Armenian President Robert Kocharyan continues leading in the presidential race.

According to vice chairman of the CEC Hamlet Abrahamyan, 312,119 votes have been counted so far, of which Ruben Avagyan polled 1,458, Artashes Geghamyan 61,272, Stepan Demirtchyan 97,242, Aram Karapetyan 10,400, Aram Haroutyunyan 235, Vazgen Manoukyan 2,879, Garnik Margaryan 189, Aram Sargsyan 386 and Kocharyan 149,584.

MASS VIOLATIONS REGISTERED DURING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA" STEPAN DEMIRTCHYAN'S ELECTORAL STAFF

FEBRUARY 20. Mass violations were registered during the presidential election in Armenia, say representatives of the Armenian opposition.

At a press-conference today night, head of the electoral staff of leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan, Grikor Haroutyunyan said that they have been constantly receiving signals about very gross violations since the early morning Feb 19. By 11 am seeing the people's activeness the authorities began to panic and realized that the only way for them was to rig the ballot. From this very moment they started using most dirty technologies, pressure and intimidation to attain their goal. They have even come to detaining two MPs, Grikor Madaghyan and Ara Ketikyan. The head of the PPA's staff in Sisian is still in police. Attorneys of some candidates were beaten in some polling stations.-

ROBERT KOCHARYAN, STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN AND ARTASHES GEGHAMYAN IN THE LEAD: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

FEBRUARY 20. According to preliminary data of the Feb 19 Presidential election in Armenia, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, who runs for the second term, Leader of the People's Party Stepan Demirchyan and Head of the NAtional Unity party Artashes Geghamyan are in the lead. The remaining candidates have received considerably less votes so far.

CEC Secretary Anna Aleksanyan said at the 7th polling station of Malatia-Sebastia community in Yerevan the favorites of the Presidential election collected the following quantity of votes (a total of 5,032 electors): Artashes Geghamyan 931, Stepan Demirchyan 1573, Robert Kocharyan 2,011. At the 11th polling station of the same community 6,929 votes were given to: Artashes Geghamyan 1,423, Stepan Demirchyan 1,905, R. Kocharyan 2,855. At the 12th polling station of the Shengavit community, 13,259 votes were given to the A. Geghamyan 3,189, S.Demirchyan 4,784, R. Kocharyan 4087. At the 13th polling station of the same community 19,365 electors voted for Geghamyan 3,934, Demrichyan 7,477, Kocharyan 5,781. The 16th polling station of the Center community showed the following results: a total of 20,159 electors voted for Geghamyan 4,962, Demirchyan 5,956, Kocharyan 7,057. At the 17th polling station of the Erebuni community 8,099 electors voted in favor of A. Geghamyan 1,612, S. Demirchyan 2,266 and R. Kocharyan 3,665. At the 23rd polling station of the Ararat region, 27,782 electors voted in favor of A. Geghamyan 3.441, S. Demirchyan 6,236 and R. Kocharyan 16,318, Aleksanyan said.

She said at the 29th polling station of the Armavir region, 22, 692 electors gave their votes to Geghamyan 4,838, Demirchyan 4,231 and Kocharyan 12,489. At the 30th polling station of the same community 26,980 people voted for Geghamyan 6,632, Demirchyan 5,588, Kocharyan 12, 357. The 31st polling station of the Gegharkunik region, 3,645 electors voted in favor of Geghamyan 751, Demirchyan 925, Kocharyan 1,720. The 33rd polling station of the same region, 25,508 electors voted for Geghamyan 4,289, Demirchyan 8,366, Kocharyan 11,290. The 34th polling station of the same region, 9,378 people voted for Geghamyan 629, Demirchyan 2,014, Kocharyan 6,299. The 47th polling station of the Shirak region, 1,363 electors voted for Geghamyan 155, Demirchyan 208, Kocharyan 900. The 50th polling station of the same region, 25,684 electors voted in favor of Geghamyan 6,816, Demirchyan 6,426, Kocharyan 10,916. The 51st polling station of the Syunik region, 4,977 electors voted in favor of Geghamyan 348, Demirchyan 1,102, Kocharyan 3,247, Aleksanyan said.-

CIS OBSERVER MISSION RECOGNIZED PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA FREE, TRANSPARENT, DEMOCRATIC AND LEGITIME

FEBRUARY 20. The CIS observer mission announced the presidential election in Armenia free, fair, transparent, democratic and legitime. Head of the CIS mission, Executive Secretary of the Commonwealth Yuri Yarov made this statement at a press-conference today.

He said the Presidential election were held in conformity with the Electoral Legislation. Yuri Yarov read out the statement of the CIS mission on the results of the Presidential election. The statement says that all the necessary measures on holding the Presidential election in conformity with the international standards were taken in Armenia. The participation of the greatest number of the electors in the election process testifies to the Armenian people's adherence to the democratic values, the statement says. In the course of a long-term monitoring of the election process, a full access to all the stages of the election process, including the voting procedure, was provided to the mission.

The country's electoral legislation meets the international standards of organization of free and fair elections. The Armenian Electoral Code also provides for the legislative basis of free, fair and transparent elections. The presidential election were held on the principles of alternativeness and in the atmosphere of acute competition of the candidates. The forms and the methods of pre-election campaign were in the frameworks of the legislative ethnic field, on the whole. There were insignificant deviations from the common rules, which, however, could not have any considerable impact on the normal process of the election. The candidates for Presidency had equal pre-conditions for access to the mass media.

At the same time, according to the CIS observers' statement, several violations of the Acting Legislation of Armenia were revealed. Thus, violations were made by electoral commissions, representatives of several parties amd blocs during the pre-election propaganda, voting and determination the results of the voting. However, there were no mass violations, the observers say.

The statement also urges all th international observers monitoring the presidential election in Armenia to join the given document. It should be noted that over 60 people were involved in the mission of observers from the Commonwealth.

YURI YAROV: STATEMENT OF 6 OPPOSITION CANDIDATES ON ILLEGITIMACY OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION NOT BASED ON SPECIFIC FACTS

FEBRUARY 20. The statement of 6 opposition candidates for Presidency urging the international observers to recognize yesterday's election of the Armenian President illegitimate, is not based on any specific examples and arguments proving the fairness of such statements. Head of the CIS observer mission, Executive Secretary of the Commonwealth of Independent States Yuri Yarov made this statement at a press-conference today.

He said such serious acts should be enclosed to such statements for their further submission to the judicial bodies. Besides, Yarov said that the statement was made at 5-6:00 pm. local time, hen the voting was still in process, and the information from observers and persons representing the candidates had not been summed up yet. "We are of the opinion that the authors of the statement must present the necessary documents and facts proving their case," he said. Yuri Yarov pointed out that only after consideration of facts by the relevant bodies of Armenia, it will be possible to receive any response to this documents.

CIS OBSERVERS FIXED NO SERIOUS VIOLATIONS DURING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 20. The CIS observers visited 277 polling stations, but did not fixed any serious violations affecting the results of the election.

They said the fixed violations referred mainly the electoral lists, lack of posters with the rules of voting, presence of more than one person representing a candidate at a polling station. The observers said, on the whole, all the notifications were taken into account, with the violations having been stopped.

In the course of the monitoring, an alarm of electors' bribing with water meters was fixed. However, as it had become known later, the meters were distributed to the people as an aid, without any special goals. Besides, complaints of the persons representing candidates concerning the use of old stamps were also taken into account. This fact was considered as a violation, as in such cases drawing lots are held to avoid the use of the same stamp at the same polling station.

The observers said a special attention was paid to the examination of the violations reveled by candidates, such as the use of the "merry-go-round" system i.e. mass dropping of already filled up ballot papers into ballot boxes. However, such cases were not revealed during the monitoring of the election.-

INTERPRETATION OF PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2003 DOES NOT MEET INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

FEBRUARY 20. The interpretation of the pre-election campaign of the presidential election 2003 does not meet the international standards, Deputy Director of the Caucasian Media Institute Mark Grigoryan made this statement today reading out the results of a monitoring of the interpretation of the election carried out in the period since Jan 21 to Feb 17.

He said Armenian mass media exercised its right of personal viewpoints, and does not provided a full opportunity for the electors could make an information choice. Neither governmental nor opposition media could and wanted exceed the frameworks of an assessing or tendentious covering of the events, Mark Grigoryan said. It is known that in conformity with the Electoral Code of Armenia, candidates for Presidency have a right of free and paid propaganda on the air of the Public Television and Radio, as well as in the state newspapers "Ayastani Anrapetutyun," and "Republic of Armenia." The Public Television deprived a number of electors of an opportunity of getting information on the programs of the opposition candidates, Mark Grigoryan said. He said he means the electors of remote villages, as well as the Armenian citizens residing abroad, who have access only to the programs containing open and hidden propaganda in favor of the incumbent President Robert Kocharyan.

The position of the state newspapers also had an evident pro-governmental orientation, Grigoryan said. Thus, "Ayastani Anrapetutyun" presented large-size articles of A2 format in favor of Robert Kocharyan four times, while in the course of the second half of the pre-election campaign, it covered the events of Artashes Geghamyan, Stepan Demirchyan and Aram Karapetyan in a manner of public insults. "Republic of Armenia" trice published large-size materials of A3 format and more. As regards five private TV companies, "Prometeus," "Armenia," "AlM," "Shant" and "Kentron." Mark Grigoryan said, before the beginning of the pre-election stage, they had reached agreements on provision of equal terms for political advertisement. According to the agreement, each candidate had a right to buy not more than 80 minutes of ads time for $20 USD at the decimetric waves and for $130 USD at metric waves. According to opposition candidates these prices are too high to carry out an absolute pre-election campaign.

OPPOSITION CANDIDATES DO THEIR BEST TO DISCREDIT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA: AGHVAN VARDANIAN

FEBRUARY 20. The opposition candidates are doing their best to discredit the presidential election held in Armenia yesterday, Head of the ARF parliamentary faction Aghvan Vardanian told reporters.

According to him, the election campaign was held without any serious excesses. "All the candidates could present to the voters their election programs, which resulted in the electorate's unprecedented activity," he said. According to the preliminary data, the incumbent President Robert Kocharian has received 18-20 per cent more votes than his chief rival, Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA) Stepan Demirchian. However, Vardanian did not rule out the possibility of a run-off election. As regards the presidential election, Vardanian said that it was well-organized, though some violations were reported, and the CEC must consider them and pass a relevant resolution. The deputy disproved the opposition's claims on mass falsifications, calling them hysteria caused by the defeat. For example, the confusion with two applications submitted by two opposition candidates was caused by the fact that a draft statement from one opposition camp was sent to the CEC, whereas the final version of this statement was sent from the other. Vardanian accounted for this by the fact that the opposition candidates that received few votes are trying to settle their own problems, but not state that the election are rigged. According to Vardanian, the few violations will not produce a serious effect on the election results.

OPPOSITION CANDIDATES INTEND TO RECOGNIZE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA ILLEGITIMATE

FEBRUARY 20. The opposition candidates for Presidency in Armenia intend to boycott the results of the presidential election and recognize them illegitimate, the member of the faction of the "Right and Unity" bloc, person representing the candidate for Presidency of Armenia Artashes Geghamyan Aghasi Arshakyan told journalists today.

He said the elections lasted disgustingly. The authorities did not limit themselves to rigging of over 320,000 ballot papers, and are currently trying to recognize an exchange of the packages of ballot papers and fill them with false figures, he said. Arshakyan also pointed out that yet long before the election, directive indicators were prepared at polling stations, which are currently "adjusted." He said the information provided by the Armenian CEC that the number of electors in Armenia totals 2 mln 300 thous. people does not correspond to reality. According to Arshakyan's calculations, only 2 mln 150 thous. people are really citizens of Armenia, with only 1 mln 600 thous. of them being electors. Taking into account a 70% attendance to the election, and participation of 1 mln 100 thous. electors, Arshakyan draws a conclusion that 320,000 filled up ballot papers were dropped into ballot boxes, which secured Robert Kocharyan's entry to the second round.

Aghasi Arshakyan pointed out that yesterday at 5:00 pm. 6 opposition candidates applied to the Armenian CEC, OSCE and CIS observer missions, as well as to the U.S.. Russian and French embassies with a statement saying that the process of the Presidential election showed that all the state levers of power were used to predetermine the results of the election. "The acting authorities together with the political forces, oligarchs and the local criminal authorities transformed the election into a process of registering falsified results. Facts of blackmail of electors and observers, dropping of especially prepared ballot papers into ballot boxes made us consider the election null and void," the statement says. At the same time, Aghasi Arshakyan said a run-off election is unacceptable for the opposition. "The election should be recognized null and void and should be repeated without participation of Robert Kocharyan in it," he said.

In his turn, Head of the pre-election staff of the candidate for Presidency, Leader of People's party Stepan Demirchyan Grigor Haroutiunyan told journalists that the document read out by Arhsakyan and allegedly sent to the CEC was nothing but a working version of the statement signed by 4 and not 6 opposition candidates, Arshakyan said. Grigor Haroutiunyan said the statement condemned the violations of the election process, and not demanded recognition of the election as illegitimate. Haroutiunyan also leveled a harsh criticism at the Presidential election saying that the opposition will never resign itself from these results and will fight to recognize them null and void.

ABOUT 500 POLICEMEN ENCIRCLED BUILDING OF CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 20. About 500 policemen encircled the building of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia today.

ARMINFO's correspondent informs that the rally participants from the streets Isahakian and Koryun gather at the building of the CEC, who require the resignation of the President of Armenia Robert Kocharian and Stepan Demirchian's assuming the post of the president of the state. The rally participants think that Demirchian won the presidential election yesterday. Totally to 10,000 people take part in the rally of the opposition in Yerevan at the building of the institute of ancient manuscripts Matenadaran.

OPPOSITION DETERMINED TO EXAMINE POLLING STATIONS WHERE VIOLATIONS WERE REGISTERED

FEBRUARY 20. The opposition intends to open and examine all the polling stations where violations of Armenia's election legislation were registered, Grigor Harutiunian, Head of Stepan Demirchian's election staff, told ARMINFO after talking to CEC Chairman Artak Sahradian.

He stressed that if the CEC refuses to meet their demand, they will apply to the Constitutional Court. At the same time, Harutiunian stated that the opposition will act exclusively within the law.

The participants in the rally in front of the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts decided to organize a procession to the Central Electoral Commission and Republic Square. After negotiating with Vice-Chief of Armenia's Police Hovhannes Varian, who is head of the guard of the CEC building, the rally participants decided to appeal to the CEC Chairman with "a peaceful package of demands."

CEC TO MEET AT 10:00 P.M. LOCAL TIME

FEBRUARY 20. The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia is to hold a meeting at 10:00 p.m. local time, CEC Chairman Artak Sahradian told ARMINFO.

According to him, the preliminary results of the presidential election are expected to be publicized by midnight. Among the reasons for the delay is the bad weather, which prevents the ballot-papers from being delivered to Yerevan from the district election commissions. However, under the Election Code, new data are to be reported each two hours, which was not done. Moreover, according to point 6 of Article 7 of Armenia's Election Code, by the noon of the day following the presidential election the CEC is to officially report the preliminary data on the number of voters that took part in the election process.

The opposition is now holding a rally in front of the Central Electoral Commission, demanding President Robert Kocharian's resignation and recognition of PPA Chairman Stepan Demirchian as Armenia's new president.

OSCE OBSERVATION MISSION NOT AUTHORIZED TO SOLVE PROBLEM OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENT'S LEGITIMACY

FEBRUARY 20. The OSCE observation mission is not authorized to solve the problem of legitimacy of the president of the republic. The Head of observers from the OSCE Peter Eicher stated during a press conference today.

According to him, the observers are in Armenia to carry out a monitoring and are not empowered to undertake any actions. The Armenian people must declare legitimacy of the president, the head of OSCE monitoring group said.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES CHANGES TO LAW ON FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

FEBRUARY 20. The Armenian Government approved today changes to the law on foreign investments aimed at bringing the Armenian legislation into compliance with international norms.

According to Trade and Economic Development Ministry, the changes are expected to settle all the disputes between the government and foreign investments in the international arbitrage. Formerly such disputes were settled by Armenian courts. It should be noted that Armenia has signed international agreements on mutual protection and stimulation of foreign investments with 30 countries and is negotiating the issue with 30 more states.

PRESIDENT ELECTION MAKE GENERALLY POSITIVE IMPRESSION ON INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS

FEBRUARY 20. The international observes that monitored yesterday's presidential election in Armenia have a generally positive impression from it, but a number of serious violations of international standards are obvious, Peter Eicher, Head of the OSCE observer mission in the presidential election in Armenia, told a news conference.

According to him, yesterday's presidential election was generally well-organized. The voting process itself was chiefly transparent. Eicher pointed out positive moments of the election campaign, such as the nomination of nine presidential candidates, which afforded ample opportunities to the voters, active canvassing, when the opposition could freely criticize the authorities, amendments to the Election Code, which create legal preconditions for free elections, well-organized technical preparations for the election.

On the other hand, Eicher indicated a number of serious shortcomings in the calculation of votes, and in this aspect the presidential election in Armenia do not meet the international standards. For instance, the pre-election stage was darkened by threats addressed to members of the election staffs of the opposition candidates, failed canvassing. Also, the observers registered a serious case of violence. Eicher added that observers have information on manipulations with citizens' passports, large-scale employment of administrative resources for canvassing for the incumbent President. Besides, Armenia's Public Television failed to play its role - provision of balanced and impartial information on all the candidates.

According to the OSCE observers, the most serious problem is the votes calculation process. The most serious of the aforementioned violations was mass dropping of filled in ballot-papers into ballot-boxes, which was witnessed by international observers as well. Eicher pointed out that the observers focused their attention on the very fact of violations, not on which of the candidates they were committed for. "The final assessment of the presidential election will depend on the final results of the calculation and processing of the ballot-papers, as well as on the efficiency of the process of appeal. Yet, in any case, there is no place for any violence or threats in democratic elections," Eicher said, adding that the observers will continue their mission and return to Armenia to monitor the parliamentary elections scheduled for May. He also expressed hope that Armenia's authorities will make use of this period to remove all the shortcomings in the voting process. It is noteworthy that in yesterday's election the OSCE visited 700 of 1,800 polling stations of Armenia.

SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TO TAKE PLACE IN ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 20. The second round of presidential election will take place in Armenia. The Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia Artak Sahradian informed the journalists today.

According to him, the incumbent President Robert Kocharian polled 709,260 votes of the electors or 49.8%. The leader of the People's party Stepan Demirchian, who was in the second place, polled 392,636 votes or 27.7% of the total number of electors. The leader of the party "National unity" Artashes Geghamian polled 241,822 votes of 17% of votes of the electors. Thus, Robert Kocharian and Stepan Demirchian entered the second round of election. Artak Sahradian also stressed that the sitting of the CEC will be held at 22:00, when the exact date of holding the second round of election will be determined. In accordance with the acting legislation, they will be held two weeks after their holding the first round.

Artak Sahradian reminded that summing up of preliminary results and their official publication is implemented 20 hours after summing up. The CEC head, summing up of the results of the first round of voting should be take place no sooner that 12:00 at local time. Thus, the Central Electoral Committee has fulfilled the provisions of the acting legislation, Artak Sahradian stressed.

STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN: 2003 ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WENT OFF DISGUSTINGLY

FEBRUARY 20. 2003 Armenian Presidential Election went off more disgustingly than the Presidential Election in 1998, the candidate for the Presidency, the leader of the National Party Stepan Demirchyan said at the opposition-organized meeting today.

According to Demirchyan, Armenia's incumbent president Robert Kocharyan is refused by the Armenian people and Demircyan's first step as the country's president will be the punishment of the falsifiers of the election results.

According to the leader of the "Hanrapetoutyun" party Aram Sargsyan, the opposition has left Kocharyan far behind and there will be no second round. Aram Sargsyan urged the demonstrators to go to the Central Electoral Commission of RA demanding the recognition of numerous violations. He also pointed out that Secretary of the CIS Executive Committee Yuri Yarov while reading out the CIS observers' statement must had been ashamed of it.

In his turn, the candidate for the Presidency, the head of the Strategic Initiative Center "Prospect," Aram Karapetyan stated that the opposition has gained an unreserved victory over Armenia's incumbent President and the power must be given to the opposition. "Armenia has no right to be governed by an illegitimate president," Karapetyan stressed.

It should be noted that after Aram Sargsyan's appeal the 8-10 thous demonstrators picked their way to the building of the Armenian CEC scanning, "Demirchyan Is Our President," and crying out reproaches against Kocharyan. At present the demonstrators are directing their steps towards to Yerevan's Republic Square.-

SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR MAR 5

FEBRUARY 20. According to today's decision of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia, the second round of the presidential election is to be held Mar 5 between incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and Leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan.

According to the preliminary official data, Kocharyan has polled 707,155 votes (49.8%), Demirtchyan 400,846 votes (27.7%) and Artashes Geghamyan 247,360 votes (17%). A total of 1,484,093 voters took part in the election.

HEAD OF PACE MONITORING GROUP CANNOT GIVE GENERAL POSITIVE ASSESSMENT TO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 20. The presidential election in Armenia went off rather well. However, the numerous violations registered during the race do not allow to give a positive assessment of the whole process, head of the PACE monitoring group, Lord Russell Johnston said at a press-conference today.

He said that his impression of the visit of 11 electoral districts was quite positive: the election was well-organized, the population quite active. But this impression is based on short-term observations and differs from the views of his colleagues who have carried out a more detailed monitoring and have a more critical opinion.

Russell-Johnston noted that Armenia has the necessary human resources for conducting flawless election. However, some people are trying to spoil the process of election and to prevent the people from freely expressing its will. Russell-Johnston doubts that there are many of them but the very fact is worrisome. Asked about the number of violations and the possibility of their influence on the outcome, Russell-Johnston asked the journalists himself "if you detect many violations during an election, don't you ask yourselves how many of them went undetected."

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FROM OPPOSITION TO VOTE IN FAVOUR OF LEADER OF NATIONAL PARTY AT SECOND ROUND

FEBRUARY 20. During the second round of the Presidential Election, the Armenian Presidential candidate, the leader of the "National-Democratic Union," Vazgen Manoukyan, intends to give his votes to the Presidential candidate, the leader of the National party, Stepan Demirchyan, Manoukyan said in his interview to an ARMINFO correspondent. At the same time, Manoukyan added that the official decision concerning this issue is expected to be made by the NDU session tomorrow.

The candidate for the Presidency, the leader of the "National Unity" party, Artashes Geghamyan, stated that the party's final position on the second round of the Presidential Election will be determined during the session of the NU leadership which will be held after the CEC has summarized the final results of the first round of the Presidential Election.

It should be noted that as far back as during the first round of the election, the candidate for the Presidency, the leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA), Aram Sargsyan, stated that his party supports Stepan demirchyan's candidacy. The candidate for the Presidency, the head of the Strategic Initiative Center "Prospect," Aram Karapetyan, also occupies an analogical position.

It should be noted that, according to the data of the Armenian CEC, Armenia's incumbent President Robert Kocharyan ranks first among the presidential candidates (49.8%), the second place belongs to Leader of the National Party Stepan Demirchyan (27.7%) and Artashes Geghamyan is followed by Demirchyan (17%).

BRANCH OF PRES.KOCHARYAN'S ELECTORAL STAFF ATTACKED

FEBRUARY 20. While returning from today's rally of leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan a group of people attacked the Sayat-Nova St. branch of Pres.Kocharyan's electoral headquarters. The assaulters broke the windows and tore off Kocharyan's electoral posters.-

AZERBAIJAN'S REACTION TO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA

FEBRUARY 20. ARMINFO-TURAN. "Re-election of Robert Kocharian as Armenian President will negatively affect negotiations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict settlement, but will allow to continue talks as previously." This is what Novruz Mamedov, chief of presidential administration's international relations department, told TURAN when asked to comment on preliminary results of presidential elections in Armenia.

He noted that Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev and Robert Kocharian have already had series of meetings. "At these talks we have taken steps to achieve mutual understanding," said Mamedov. He reminded that Kocharian has come to power on the wave of separatist ideology.

"Armenian government is unable to objectively analyze the current processes both in the region and world and draw proper conclusions. We should not expect Kocharian to refuse of promises he has given to his people. His position is neither realistic, nor constructive," noted Novruz Mamedov.

Novruz Mamedov also pointed out to the reports of world mass media about unprecedented irregularities during elections in Armenia. Etibar Mamedov, leader of National Independence party, called elections in Armenia "an example of unchanged electoral practice in the post-Soviet countries." "It is most probable that Kocharian uses all the methods and means to win elections and yesterday's reports proved these suppositions," said opposition party's leader. Mamedov believes that Kocharian's re-election will not change relationships between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"Nothing is expected to happen this year as well, because Kocharian does not intend to make concessions to Azerbaijan," said Etibar Mamedov. Isa Gambar, leader of another opposition party Musavat, said statements of nominees for the presidency about blatant violation of electoral procedure will call for questions both in Armenia and outside of it. Gambar noted that there is no great difference in the nominees for the presidency's positions of the Karabakh conflict. It does not matter who will win elections, because this will not affect relationships between Armenia and Azerbaijan and perspectives of the conflicts settlement.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN's ELECTION CAMPAIGN WILL BE MORE INTENSIVE DURING RUN-OFF ELECTION: SERGE SARGSSIAN

FEBRUARY 20. The election staff of the incumbent President Robert Kocharian intends to revise its pre-election strategy before the presidential run-off election, Head of Robert Kocharian's election staff Serge Sargssian told a press conference.

According to him, Robert Kocharian's election campaign will be more intensive. "We have underestimated the pre-election situation and our rivals' preparedness, and their election campaign has proved quite effective," Sargssian said. He stressed that although Robert Kocharian has not won in the first round, the 49.8% of votes received by him is quite a good result, considering that he has had eight rivals. Sargssian expressed confidence that Robert Kocharian will win the run-off. "If Robert Kocharian is re-elected Armenia's president as a result of free and fair election, and if anyone denied this fact, it will be considered a violation of law, and the government is supposed to ensure observation of laws," Sargssian said.

Sargssian's general assessment of the presidential election was positive despite the recorded violations. According to him, Robert Kocharian received the news about the run-off with "cool and is "disposed to struggle on."

MARCH 5. Presidential runoff election is underway in Armenia.

The candidates running for the second round are the incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and the opposition candidate, Leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchyan. As it was earlier reported, in the first round of the Presidential election Robert Kocharyan received 49.5% of the votes, Stepan Demirchyan 28.2%. It is for the second time in the history of independent Armenia, that the president is elected through a runoff election. First time it was in 1998, when the incumbent president Robert Kocharyan left behind the former PPA leader Karen Demirchyan, Stepan Demirchyan's father.

However, in the history of the Third Republic of Armenia, it is the fourth presidential election. The winner of the first presidential election in the RA (1991) was the representative of the Armenian National Movement party (ANM) Levon Ter-Petrossyan. In the Presidential election in the September of 1996, Levon Ter-Petrossyan preserved his post of the Armenian President, but the opposition and a number of authoritative international organizations called the results of the election rigged. In the February of 1998 Levon Ter-Petrossyan sent in his resignation, which resulted in the extraordinary presidential election in the March of 1998, It this then that the incumbent president gained a victory in the runoff election.

Over 5,000 local and international observers will monitor the runoff election today, like it was on Feb 19, including the observer missions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, OSCE, CIS and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Besides the local journalists, some 50 representatives of foreign mass media will cover the election. 10,000 policemen will observe the public order today. Like on February 19, translucent ballot boxes will be used in the course of the voting today

ALL POLLING STATIONS IN ARMENIA OPENED AT 8:00 AM. LOCAL TIME TODAY

MARCH 5. All the 1,865 polling stations opened in Armenia at 8:00 am. local time today.

According to the information ARMINFO received from the central Electoral Commission, the runoff election, like the first round, will be completed at 8:00 pm. local time. Preliminary results of the voting are to be announced in 28 hours after the election process, with the final results to be declared in 72 hours. In case of grievances, the declaration of the final results will require 6 days. Over 6,000 observers will monitor the election, 5,000 of them are local. According to observers, the election has been held without any excesses so far. It should be noted that running for the second round are the incumber President Robert Kocharyan and Leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchyan.-

ELECTORS' ACTIVITY IN CURRENT PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN ARMENIA DOES NOT YIELD TO THAT OF FIRST ROUND

MARCH 5. The activity of electors in the course of the current Presidential runoff election in Armenia is high enough, and does not yield to that of the first round.

According to CEC Chairman Artak Sahgradyan, by 11:00 am. local time, 117,233 electors participated in the election, which makes up 5.14% of the total number of the citizens having right of election. Sahradyan said this indicator during the first round was 112,000 people. He pointed out that there have not been any data on the polling stations number 3,4,8,9,11,14,16 and 48 of 1,865 polling stations of Armenia so far. The total number of electors in Armenia makes up 2.310 mln people. Representatives of 67 local and over 60 foreign media monitor the election process.

It should be noted that running for the second round are the incumber President Robert Kocharyan and Leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchyan.

PREMIER SURE OF PUBLIC ACTIVITY IN RUN-OFF ELECTION

MARCH 5. Armenia's Prime Minister Andranik Margarian has expressed his confidence that the presidential run-off election in Armenia will be as active as the first round.

Talking to journalists, he pointed out that the people's task is simpler now, as they have to chooses between two candidates, but not nine, as it was on February 19. Margarian expressed confidence that the opposition will demand invalidation of the results of the run-off election, claiming falsifications. However, of importance is the real picture and impartial examination of the opposition's claims, Margarian said.

OPPOSITION RECORDS FIRST VIOLATIONS IN PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION

MARCH 5. The opposition has recorded the first violations in the presidential run-off election.

Dustrik Mkhitarian, Coordinator of the election staff of the opposition presidential candidate, Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA) Stepan Demirchian, reported that over 100 violations of Armenia's Election Code had been registered by 11:30 a.m. local time. Mkhitarian pointed out that in the morning in polling stations NN23-44 in election district N2, all the proxies and commission members representing the National Democratic Union were driven out of the premises. The same thing happened to the commission members representing the People's Party of Armenia in polling stations NN71-77. The reason for such drastic measures was alleged indecent behavior of the opposition representatives, who were loudly expressing their disagreement with the district election commissions. Moreover, Mkhitarian stressed that at polling station N061/03 law-enforcers detained the PPA representative Marietta Tumanian, who resisted the police attempting to stuff the ballot-box. At polling station N1652/52 in Goris, the representative of the National Democratic Union Ara Grigorian was driven out, and at polling station 233 located in School N12 servicemen are openly voting for the incumbent President Robert Kocharian.

Mkhitarian also reported that in the village of Gekhanis, Garny region, the Head of the local police blocked the entrance to the polling station, letting in only those who intended to vote for Robert Kocharian. In School N97 in Yerevan, a group of policemen with sub-machine-guns rushed into the polling station and are interfering with the election process.

I AM SURE IN MY VICTORY: ROBERT KOCHARYAN

MARCH 5. I am sure in my victory in the presidential runoff election in Armenia, the incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan told journalists today, after performing his civic duty.

He said he is in a good mood, and "if there is no runoff election, it should have been invented." At the same time, Robert Kocharyan pointed out that he does not feel self-satisfaction. In response to the question about possible dissatisfaction of the opposition in case of his re-election, Robert Kocharyan said "the opposition has 7 songs, and all them are about protests, one should get used to this." As regards the estimation of the current election, its organization and transparency, he said these two criteria are complementary and include in them the concept of free and fair election as well.

The president also said in case of violations at polling stations, it is not in his competence to punish the violators. "It is the Prosecutor's Office that is to punish the violators and not the president. It is necessary to apply to the Prosecutor's Office in conformity with the order established, however, I shall contribute to their punishment," Robert Kocharyan said. As regards the statements of the opposition candidate Stepan Demirchyan's pre-election staff concerning the arrests of opposition campaigners, the president said "he is not informed of these statements." Simultaneously Robert Kocharyan advised to apply to the Police or the Prosecutor's Office in this connection, pointing out that, in his opinion, these statements do not correspond to reality

I AM SURE OF MY VICTORY ON CONDITION OF MORE OR LESS FAIR ELECTION: STEPAN DEMIRCHIAN

MARCH 5. The opposition presidential candidate, Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA) Stepan Demirchian expressed confidence of his victory in the presidential run-off election provided that it is "more or less free and fair."

Talking to journalists, Demirchian stated that it is clear that the results of the run-off election are endangered, and today's election is not free and fair. Reports on mass violations similar to those during the first round are constantly being received, their number being so large that the PPA election staff has no time to respond. The entire election process is more disgraceful and unfair than the 1998 presidential election. Last night, ballot-papers filled in favor of Robert Kocharian suddenly appeared "no one knows from where." For some reason, over 100 members of district election commissions were replaced, the opposition's representatives being replaced by those of the authorities. The same was done with proxies.

The PPA leader stressed that the run-off election is being held with falsifications just as the first round of the presidential election, and he and his supporters are determined to "call a spade a spade," and adequately respond to the violations that have been committed. However, "we are sure of our victory," Demirchian said, pointing out that if Robert Kocharian is declared president after the run-off election, the opposition will immediately respond to that.

AUTHORITIES COMMITTED NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS DURING THREE HOURS OF VOTING: GRIGOR HARUTIUNIAN

MARCH 5. During the first three hours of the presidential run-off election in Armenia, the country's authorities have committed numerous violations, Grigor Harutiunian, Head of Stepan Demirchian's election staff, told reporters.

According to him, at one of the Yerevan polling stations Stepan Demirchian's proxy, Marietta Tumanian, was detained for uncertain reasons and taken to the police station. In the village of Gyughaintap the ballot-boxes were stuffed with ballot-papers filled in Robert Kocharian's favor, etc.. According to Harutiunian, today's falsifications have "surpassed" the violations committed during the first round of the presidential election.

12,195 ELECTORS PERFORMED THEIR CIVIC DUTY IN ARMENIAN REGION OF GEGHARKUNIK BY 11:00 AM LOCAL TIME

MARCH 5. 12,195 electors made their choice in favour of one of the candidates for Presidency by 11:00 am. local time in the Gegharkunik region.

According to the CEC's data, 3,100 people voted at the polling station number 31, 3,217 people at the polling station number 32, 1,612 and 4,266 electors at the polling stations number 33 and 34 respectively. Neither violations nor rigging were registered, as well as any grievances of citizens concerning the electoral lists.

ARMENIAN ELECTIONS: COUNCIL OF EUROPE SECRETARY GENERAL INSISTS ON RESPECT OF DEMOCRATIC RULES IN SECOND ROUND

MARCH 5. On the eve of the second round of the presidential elections in Armenia, Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, called on the authorities and on the opposition forces to bear in mind that what the country needs now are free elections, accepted by all sides as fair and legitimate. "A repetition of the incidents that took place during and after the first round would mean a lost election for everybody, regardless of the outcome", Mr Schwimmer said.

The Secretary General also voiced regret that the first round of the presidential elections was a missed opportunity for Armenia to abandon past electoral practices and win the confidence not only of the voters but also of the European public opinion. "Nevertheless, I stand by the conclusion made by the Council of Europe prior to the elections - the Armenian authorities do have the capacity to conduct free and fair elections".

At the same time, Mr Schwimmer called on the authorities to release all detained demonstrators, to refrain from interfering with the media and to show utmost respect for their obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. He urged the armed forces to avoid expressing any political position and invited all political factions and their supporters to respect the Constitution.

NDU LEADER: PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION IS THE ONLY HOPE TO EVENTUALLY SET UP LAWFUL AUTHORITY IN ARMENIA

MARCH 5. The Presidential run-off election is the only hope for Armenians to eventually set up the lawful authority, Armenian ex-candidate for the Presidency, Leader of the National-Democratic Union (NDU) Vazgen Manoukyan said in his interview to an ARMINFO correspondent held at the polling station located in Yerevan Checkov school.

According to Manoukyan, he is well informed of the violations and falsifications at both the first and the second rounds of the presidential election. In any case, the activity of the population allows us to believe in the establishment of the legitimate authority in the country, Manoukyan stressed. According to Manoukyan, the statements concerning violations and falsifications both in favor of the incumbent president and the opposition are not serious.

Commenting on his failure at the first round of the presidential election, during which NDU leader received 0,9% votes, he said that first of all he does not agree with the aforementioned figure. But even if the votes collected by the NDU leader were more, it is quite natural that they would be maximally polarized as "people are eager to change the power that is why they gave their votes to the presidential candidate from the opposition around whom a great number of politologists have consolidated," Manoukyan stressed.

It should be noted that NDU has earlier stated that they will support Leader of the National Party Stepan Demirchyan at the presidential run-off election.

EVERY CITIZEN OF ARMENIA SHOULD DISPLAY CONSCIOUSNESS WHEN ELECTING PRESIDENT: ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER ARMEN KHACHATRYAN

MARCH 5. Every citizen of Armenia should display consciousness when electing the president, Armenian Parliamentary Speaker Armen Khachatryan told journalists after performing his civic duty at his polling station today, in spite of his poor health conditions.

Armen Khachatryan said the people should elect the most deserving candidate able to secure the further prosperity of the country. The speaker welcomed the TV debates between the incumbent president Robert Kocharyan and PPA Leader Stepan Demirchyan held on the Armenian Public Television on March 3. He characterized this as an optimal form of struggle.

Speaker Khachatryan condemned rigging, pointing out that such a negative event should be rooted out, as only a legally elected president having the people's vote of confidence can form a strong power and secure the country's development.

It should be noted that at the polling station placed at the building of A.P. Chekhov school, the number of electors makes up 1,358 people. According to data by 12:00 am. local time, some 100 electors voted here.

ASSESSMENT OF RUN-OFF ELECTION EARLY TO MAKE: RUSSEL JOHNSTON

MARCH 5. It is early to make any assessments, as not only in Armenia, but also in other countries the situation is normally calm in the morning during elections, Head of the PACE observer mission, the Lord Russel Johnston said, responding to ARMINFO's question about his feelings from the first three hours of the presidential run-off election in Armenia.

According to him, he has not any feelings yet. He stressed that the observers do not eliminate the reasons for violations and falsifications, but they only make assessments of what takes place.

Russel Johnston also reported that he has visited three polling stations today. Today, the Head of the PACE observer mission intends to visit a number of polling stations as well. He pointed out that today he is scheduled to meet with the opposition presidential candidate, Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchian. He also reported that yesterday he held a meeting with Armenia's President Robert Kocharian. With both of them he discussed the issue of organizing and holding the run-off election, and is interested in both candidates' opinion. The first round was normally held, and the violations were registered during the calculation of votes on February 20 night. "I hope that everything will be all right in the run-off," Johnston said.

PEOPLE'S WILL MUST BE EXPRESSED IN PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION: VARDAN OSKANIAN

MARCH 5. The people's will must be expressed during the presidential run-off election, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian stated after voting at one of the polling stations in Yerevan.

According to him, each elections allow Armenia to show the world that democracy is gaining strength in the country. "In this aspect, the first round did not afford us this opportunity, but today we can show the world that we are not only taking part in the run-off election, but can also hold it in a democratic way," Oskanian said. He added that both the authorities and the opposition must feel political responsibility. "The opposition must realize that the country has political tasks, and we must do our best to prevent political speculations," Oskanian stressed. He found it difficult to forecast the results. According to Oskanian, The European observers' assessment of the results of the first round of the presidential election was not so strict. "I think they noted what they had seen, and all the sides involved are guilty of this. So let us not exaggerate the problem," the Minister said.

Oskanian believes that the results of the first round of the presidential election had a negative impact on Armenia's international reputation. "The fact that were are holding a run-off election was welcomed by the international community, and the country's reputation has no stains any more," Oskanian said. He added that then run-off election is of vital importance to the country, as the international community's confidence will be very difficult to win without a free, fair and transparent election.

CONDUCT OF DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE FOR COUNTRY'S FUTURE

MARCH 5. The conduct of the democratic presidential election in Armenia is of paramount importance for the country's future, Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Armenia Gagik Haroutyunyan told journalists after the performance of his civil duty today.

Haroutyunyan said that after the consideration of Artashes Geghamyan's complaint concerning the results of the first round of the presidential election, they discovered some violations. Gagik Haroutyunyan expressed hope that the second round of the presidential election will be conducted without any violations, as the election determines the fate not only of the presidential candidates, but mainly of all Armenians.

"We have serious obligations before the international community, and also seek to become a member of the European Union (EU) which imposes a high responsibility to move along a path to democratization," Haroutyunyan concluded.

It should be noted that CC Chairman visited the polling station with his diplomatic passport which provoked objections among the members of the local electoral commission who demanded that Haroutyunyan present is civil passport. The problem was settled only after the interference of Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) Artak Sahradyan

CORRESPONDENT OF "A1+" TV CHANNEL NOT ALLOWED TO COVER VOTING PROCESS AT POLLING STATION

MARCH 5. At 1:00 pm. local time, the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia received information that at the polling station N02132 of the 11th electoral district, a correspondent of the local TV channel "A1+" was not allowed to cover the voting process for lack of accreditation at the CEC RA.

Press Secretary of the CEC RA Lilit Sedrakyan said if the correspondent of "A1+" was not allowed to work for lack of accreditation, it is quite a groundless reason. She said representatives of the mass media having accredited at the CEC are allowed to work at electoral districts, while, correspondents are only to have a document confirming their belonging to a media accredited at the CEC. To settle the situation, CEC Chairman Artak Sahradyan contacted by phone Head of the local Electoral Commission Oleg Grigoryan, the latter promised to settle the problem and allow the journalist to work at his polling station

ARMENIA WILL BE GIVEN STATUS OF OBSERVER OF EURASIAN ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION

MARCH 5. Armenia is expected to be given the status of an observer of the Eurasian Economic Association during the April session of the Interstate Council of this organization at the highest level in Dushanbe, said Secretary General of the Eurasian Economic Association Gregory Rapota.

He said the agenda includes in it over 20 points. In particular, agreements will be signed on securities market, crediting, protection of the domestic market not applying anti-dumping measures. The presidents will approve the budgetary message, the status of the organization's Court.

Rapota said the organization puts a stress on the real economy. He said when establishing this organization, we set a task of establishing a united energy area, a united transport area, to find points of interaction in the agriculture, in the agri-industrial complex, and solve the migration problem. In this connection, the secretary general said, during the last year, instruments for settlement of the migration problem were created. We have councils for energy, transport policy, plans of actions, with all them having been approved. The presidents of the "Five" approved the idea of a gas alliance, the united water power system, the united stock market. A specific work is in process in all these directions, the secretary general said.

In this connection, Rapota said if the project of the united water power system is implemented within the framework of the European Economic Association, it will make cheaper the electricity tariff for its members, including Russia. There are four unfinished water power plants in Central Asia: two in Tajikistan and another two in Kirghizia, he said. The completion of their construction will require large investments. We should settle the problem of financing, Rapota said. He added that putting these plants into exploitation will give cheaper electricity not only to the Central Asian states and their neighbors, but also to the South of Russia.-

ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES DO THEIR BEST TO MAINTAIN DOMESTIC POLITICAL STABILITY

MARCH 5. If Armenia's authorities had not made necessary steps during the period between the first round of the presidential election and the run-off, the domestic political processes would have got out of control, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian told reporters today.

According to him, excesses could be observed, but the authorities prevented further aggravation of the situation. Margarian stressed that some processes two weeks before the run-off election could create public tension, but they cannot be claimed to have reached the degree of domestic instability. "Public political activity has reached its climax, which is natural, as the citizens wish to express their feelings," Margarian said.

TV DEBATES BETWEEN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES HELPED ARMENIAN PEOPLE TO DETERMINE CHOICE

YEREVAN, MARCH 5. ARMINFO. The TV debates between the presidential candidates, Leader of the National Party Stepan Demirchyan and Armenia's incumbent President Robert Kocharyan, helped the Armenian people to determine the choice, Armenian Premier Andranik Margaryan told journalists today.

According to Margaryan, the TV debates came up to the people's expectations and are more civilized stage of the development of the pre-electoral events in Armenia. Andranik Margaryan also pointed out that this new tradition must be used during the Armenian parliamentary elections.

CEC REPORTS DATA ON VOTING BY 1:00 P.M.

MARCH 5. A total of 628,203 Armenian citizens had taken part in the voting in the presidential run-off election in Armenia by 1:00 p.m. local time, CEC Vice-Chairman Hamlet Abrahamian stated.

He reported that the CEC received data from 50 election districts. Abrahamian pointed out that a total of 186,510 citizens (25% of voters) had taken part in the voting in Yerevan by 1:00 p.m.. 27.5% of voters had voted in two polling stations in the Aragatsotn region of Armenia, in Ararat 19.8%, in Armavir 29.5%, in Gegharkunik 32.7%, in Lori 26.8%, in Kotayk 27.3%, in Shirak 24%, in Syunik 38.5%, in Vaiots Dzor 31.8%, in Tavush 36.7%.

Abrahamian said that the population's activity has not changed since the first round of the presidential election. He pointed out that the CEC has received a large number of complaints concerning the changes in the membership of district election commissions. According to him, all of them are classified and prompt decisions will be made. "The problem of changes in district election commissions is most likely to be a special subject of the CEC's discussion," Abrahamian said. The aforementioned results do not include the information on Armenia's citizens that had taken part in the voting abroad.

VOTERS IN LORI REGION AS ACTIVE AS USUAL

MARCH 5. The voters in the Lori region of Armenia are as active during run-off as they were during the first round of the presidential election.

By 1:00 p.m. local time, 22,648 of a total of 239,838 voters had taken part in the voting in six election districts of the region. According to the information received, no incidents had been recorded in polling stations, and, according to the presidential candidates' proxies, the election process is in conformity with the law. In their turn, the observers point out that the voters of the region are showing a high-level election culture.

As regards inaccuracies in the voters' lists, their number has decreased since the first round of the presidential election. By 4:00 p.m., the minor court will have sum up the data on the citizens not included in the voters' lists. The 58 persons kept in the "Vanadzor" penitentiary establishment have also voted. Over 6,500 local and foreign observers representing 30 organizations are monitoring the presidential election in Armenia.

YURI YAROV: PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN ARMENIA STARTED WELL-ORGANIZED AND WITHOUT VIOLATIONS

MARCH 5. The Presidential runoff election in Armenia started well-organized and without violations, CHairman of the CIS Executive Committee, Head of the CIS observer mission Yuri Yarov said in his interview to "Armenia" TV channel.

He said all the conditions for free expression of the citizens will in conformity with the Electoral Code of Armenia. However, he said observers point out repetition of several shortcomings, which should have been avoided after the first round. In particular, he said there are cases when names of electors were not included in electoral lists and they had to apply to the Court to restore their electoral rights. At the same time, he said those who restored their rights in the first round of the election have faced no such problems today.

Speaking of the lacks of the runoff election, Yuri Yarov said the example of the right filling up of a ballot paper have not been hanged at several polling stations. He also said that information on ballot stuffing at the one of the polling stations was not confirmed by any observer or a person representing the candidates. We are also informed that rigging is possible because of the fact that the envelopes with the stamps of the polling stations were numbered, while there should have been the stamps of the CEC, Yarov said. We can say that no such facts have been fixed at the polling stations we have visited, he said.

CE VENETIAN COMMISSION EXPERTS TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA MARCH 8

MARCH 5. On March 8, experts of the CE Venetian Commission are to come to Armenia to take part in the sitting of the Constitutional Court (CC) of Armenia, CC President Gagik Harutiunian told journalists after voting in the presidential run-off election.

According to him, the Venetian Commission experts will watch the CC's considering the claim lodged by one of the presidential candidates, Chairman of the "National Unity" party Artashes Geghamian, who demands invalidation of the results of the first round of the presidential election in Armenia.

Considering mass violations committed during the first round, Artashes Geghamian, who received 17.7% of votes, demands invalidation of its results.

IRANIAN OBSERVERS FIXED NO ESSENTIAL VIOLATIONS DURING RUNOFF ELECTION IN ARMENIA

MARCH 5. The observer group of the Islamic Republic of Iran fixed no essential violations in the course of the presidential runoff election in Armenia by 2:00 pm. local time, Chairman of the observer group Shakhemi said in his interview to the Armenian Public Television.

He said the observer group have visited several polling stations and can say that on the whole, the election process is hold in a normal atmosphere.

ELECTION PROCESS INTENSIFICATION OBSERVED IN SYUNIK

MARCH 5. Intensification of the election process can be observed in the Syunik region during the run-off as compared to the first round of the presidential election in Armenia.

According to the information reported to ARMINFO by district election commission N51, which is in charge of the Dilijan region, 13 polling stations in Gyumri and six polling stations in Jermuk, the number of voters has increased by 152 as against the first round, 69 of them got judicially restored to their voting right. A total of 39,158 voters are registered in that election district. Three hour after the voting began, 2,500 voters took part in it. By 2:00 p.m. local time, 12 citizens had applied to courts and got restored to their voting right. The election is being monitored by local and foreign observers, which are not recording any incidents.

CITIZENS KEPT AT PENITENTIARY ESTABLISHMENTS PARTICIPATED IN PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN ARMENIA

MARCH 5. The citizens kept at penitentiary establishments in Armenia participated in the Presidential runoff election.

Press Secretary of the Armenian Justice Minister Ara Saghatelyan said 701 of 719 citizens having the right of election and currently kept at the penitentiaries performed their civic duty. 18 of them refused from participating in the election because of different reasons. According to the source, the greatest part of these citizens refused from participating in the voting because of religious reasons.

OVER 2,000 CITIZENS APPLIED TO COURT TO GET RESTORED TO THEIR VOTING RIGHT

MARCH 5. 2,042 citizens have applied to Armenia's courts to get restored to their voting right. Press Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of Armenia Ara Sahatelian reported that 905 citizens had applied to Yerevan's courts to get restored to their voting right by 2:00 p.m.. Only 12 citizens had applied to the court of Yerevan's Avan and Nor Nork communities, whereas 214 citizens had applied to the court of the Malatia and Sebastia communities. Ninety five citizens had applied to the court of Yerevan's Shengavit community, 102 to the court of the Achapnyak and Davisadhen communities, 130 to the court of the Erebuni and Nubarashen communities, 194 to the court of the Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeitun communities, and 158 citizens had applied to the court of the Center and Nork Marash communities.

According to Sahatelian, a total of 1,137 citizens had applied to regional courts to get restored to their voting right. Most of them, 331, applied to the court of the Lori region, whereas only 13 to the court of the Vaiots Dzor region. Thirty three citizens applied to the Aragatsotn regional court, 26 to the court of Tavush, 75 to the court of Gegharkunik, and 96 to the court of Armavir. Also, 136 voters applied to the Shirak regional court, 191 to the court of Kotayk, 139 to the court of Ararat, and 93 to the court of Syunik. It should be noted that a total of 10,431 citizens applied to courts during the first round of the presidential election on February 19.

CEC RECEIVES FIRST DATA ON ELECTORS' ACTIVITY ABROAD

MARCH 5. The Central Electoral COmmission of Armenia has received the first data on the electors' activity in the Presidential runoff election abroad. CEC Press-Secretary Lilit Sedrakyan said by 3:00 pm. local time, 2,279 Armenian citizens performed their civic duty in 27 cities world wide.

CEC ACCEPTS FOR CONSIDERATION 13 COMPLAINTS OF VIOLATIONS IN ELECTION PROCESS

MARCH 5. By 3:00 p.m., the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia had accepted for consideration 13 complaints concerning violations during the presidential run-off election, Head of the CEC Legal Advisory Service Nune Oghanessian reported.

According to her, all the other complaints are of informative character. Oghanessian added that the CEC also received a package of complaints from the People's Party of Armenia (PPA), which was immediately considered. Most of the complaints concern the removal of the PPA representatives from district election commissions. Oghanessian stressed that Armenia's Election Code contains a relevant article. At the same time she stressed that the CEC received a complaint from the Chairman of district election commission N6 signed by 26 persons informing that PPA members have not lodged any such complaints. All the applications will be sent to the law-enforcement agencies, Oghanessian said. She also pointed out that the CEC received complaints from members of district election commissions that some of the presidential candidates' proxies interfere with their work. In some cases one person acts as proxy and observer.

OPPOSITION: PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN VILLAGE OF GARNI STARTED WITH OPEN VOTING

MARCH 5. In the village of Garni, Gegharkunik region, the presidential runoff election started with an open voting, the Union Constitutional Right party informed ARMINFO. The party supports PPA Leader Stepan Demirchyan's candidature.

Press Secretary of the party Artur Sahakyan said the supporters of the incumber president Robert Kocharyan allowed electors to drop ballot papers into ballot boxed only after examining them personally. It should be noted that in the village of Garni, the number of polling stations is 4, that of the electors making 5,000 people.

UNION CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT PARTY ANNOUNCE MASS BALLOT STUFFING AND ACTIVATION OF CRIMINAL ELEMENTS

MARCH 5. The Union Constitutional Right party supporting the presidential candidate, PPA Leader Stepan Demirchyan, announces mass ballot stuffing and activation of criminal elements in the course of the runoff election in the country.

According to the source, at 10:30 am. local time, they received information that at the polling station placed in the building of the Shirvanzade school in the Yerevan community of Arabkir the ballot boxes were entirely filled up. In Roustaveli school, groups of strangers have visited the polling station beginning from 12:00 am., who dropped by 10 ballot papers at once in favour of the incumbent president. The same situation is observed at the polling station in the building of Charents school, where a group of persons dropped by 30 ballot papers in favour of Robert Kocharyan. 10,350 people voted at the 7th polling station by 2:00 pm. local time, which is an evident rigging, at every polling station the number of electors totals not more than 2,000 people.

The Union Constitutional Right reports that information on criminal elements in the voting process. Thus, a certain Silvia Melikyan said that at the polling station N4/0072 in the first Nork housing estate, several persons had repeatedly sent an old woman for voting. In response to the citizens' dissatisfaction, they answered that they act "in honor to those buried in Yerablur memorial complex." At the polling station in the school N107 in the Erebuni community, the director of the school, invited the electors to his private room and propagandized in favour of Robert Kocharyan. In the school N 147, the local "authoritative persons" assumed the control over the voting. At 2:30 pm. the source received information that a group of criminals subjected to terror the persons representing the candidate and electors. At 2:20 pm. there was information on violations and cases of beating in the Yerevan Sari Tagh residential area

OPPOSITION: SOME 600,000 FALSE BALLOT PAPERS PRINTED IN ARMENIA BEFORE PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION

MARCH 5. Some 600,000 false ballot papers were printed in Armenia before the Presidential runoff election, the Union Constitutional Right party of Armenia informed ARMINFO. The party supports PPA Leader Stepan Demirchyan's candidature.

Press Secretary of the party Artur Sahakyan said the greatest part of false ballot papers were distributed to officials and the members of the pre-election staff of the incumbent president for their further "realization." However, Sahakyan said several of these persons handed their false ballot papers to the pre-election staffs of the opposition. Sahakyan said at present, the false ballot papers have been submitted to the Prosecutor's Office and international observers.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF SARI TAGH AND OPPOSITION MEMBERS OF ELECTORAL COMMISSIONS CURRENTLY SKIRMISH

MARCH 5. The local "authorities" of Sari Tagh, Yerevan, and the opposition members of the electoral commissions currently skirmish, a member of the "Constitutional Right Union" party told an ARMINFO correspondent. It should be noted that the party supports the candidacy of the Armenian Presidential candidate, Leader of the National Party Stepan Demirchyan.

According to the party's press-secretary Artur Sahakyan, at 3:00 p.m. local time the electoral districts of Sari Tagh were invaded by some groups of local "authorities" by which creating turmoil at the electoral distrits.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT UNION: VIOLATIONS AND BRIBERY OF VOTERS REGISTERED AT SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA

MARCH 5. The Constitutional Right Union party which supports the candidate for the Presidency, Leader of the National Party Stepan Demirchyan, stated that some violations and bribery of voters were committed during the run-off election.

According to ARMINFO, in the polling station located in the "Narine" kindergarten in Svachyan street, at 13:00 p.m. local time some people seizing the opportunity of the poor-sight of some of the elderly voters had filled the ballot papers instead of them in favour of Armenia's president Robert Kocharyan.

According to the source, at 12:30 p.m. local time it was informed that some voters are being bribed. Thus, a disabled soldier, a veteran of the liberation movement, Varazdat Aharonyan, informed of mass voting of "bribed" electors in school N 111 in Ajapnyak community, Yerevan. In school N 141, Nork Massiv, Kocharyan's supporters also organized a "merry-go-round" through people who had previously been bribed in favour of Armenia's incumbent president. There is also an information concerning mass briberies in Gavar, Armenia, where the head of Robert Kocharyan's Staff, Vanik Charvandaryan had organized mass briberies with the help of the employees of the regional administration, teachers and doctors.

HEAD OF PRE-ELECTION STAFF OF INCUMBENT PRESIDENT IS SURE THAT HIS CANDIDATE WILL SWEEP THE ELECTION

MARCH 5. Head of the pre-election staff of the incumbent president Serge Sargssyan is sure that Robert Kocharyan will sweep the presidential runoff election.

In response to the question of ARMINFO's correspondent on the changes made into the tactics of the pre-election staff of Robert Kocharyan after the first round of the election, Serge Sargssyan admitted this fact, however, he did not specify the changes, promising to do it after the election. "We have considerably changed the style of our work, and I think the results of the election will either confirm the efficiency of it or not," Sargssyan said. He expressed hope that the acts of Robert Kocharyan's pre-election staff will prove to be effective.

Regarding the question whether Armenia's international image was damaged after the first round of the presidential election in connection of the harsh assessment of its results by European observers, Sargssyan said if, for example, examine the results of the election of 1998, other conclusions suggest themselves, and the most important assessment is that the election be well-organized. However, there were shortcomings as well, so it is necessary to exert further efforts to root out them, he said.

PERSONS PRESENTING OPPOSITION CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENCY STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN AND SOME INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS DETAINED

MARCH 5. In the second half of the day, several persons presenting the candidate for the Presidency Stepan Demirchyan and some local independent observers were detained in Arabkir community, Yerevan, an ARMINFO correspondent was informed by members of the "Constitutional Right Union" party which supports Stepan Demirchyan's candidacy during the Armenian Presidential election.

According to the Press Secretary of the party Artur Sahakyan, the first detention was registered at the polling station located in school N 132. Sahakyan said that at present some people are on a picket in front of the Police Regional Department. He pointed out that the building is currently surrounded by policemen. According to Sahakyan, nobody is allowed to see the detainees including the representatives of human right organizations, correspondents and their relatives.

SOME 50% OF ELECTORS PARTICIPATED IN PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN ARMENIA BY 4:00 PM. LOCAL TIME

MARCH 5. 49.5% of the total number of electors or 1,153,148 people participated in the Presidential runoff election in Armenia by 4:00 pm. local time. Vice Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia Hamlet Abrahamyan announced these data today.

He said according to data received from 56 territorial electoral commissions, 46.1% of the electors or 344,65 people voted in Yerevan by the specified period. In the Aragatsotn region this figure made up 43.9% or 41,610 people, Ararat region 55.3% or 102,410 people, Lori region 47.7% or 114,068 people, Kotayk region 48.9% or 102,556 people, Shirak 46.8% or 98,439 people. Syunik region 59.4% or 74,372 people, Vayots Dzor 55.8% or 20,756 and Tavush region 59.3% or 54,734 people.

Abrahamyan said the activity of electors does not differ from the first round much. He said the PPA office sent a fax - a filled up ballot paper, in the morning that was submitted to the Prosecutor General's Office. At approximately 3:00 pm. a statement was received from the person representing the opposition candidate for presidency Stepan Demirhcyan, which was also sent to the Prosecutor General's Office.

3,528 CITIZENS GET JUDICIALLY RESTORED TO THEIR VOTING RIGHT

MARCH 5. A total of 3,528 Armenian citizens have applied to Armenia's courts to get restored to their voting right during the presidential run-off election in Armenia today.

Talking to ARMINFO, Press Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Ara Sahatelian reported that by 5:00 p.m. local time a total of 1,587 citizens had applied to Yerevan courts to get restored to their voting rights. The situation in Yerevan's districts was as follows: 23 citizens applied to the court of the Avan and nor Nork communities; 418 to the court of the Malatia and Sebastia communities; 165 to the court of the Shengavit community; 178 to the court of the Achapnyak and Davidashen communities. Also, 200 citizens applied to the court of the Erebuni and Nubarashen communities, and 231 citizens applied to the court of the Center and Nork Marash communities.

According to the source, a total of 1,941 citizens had applied to Armenia's regional courts to get restored to their voting rights by 5:00 p.m. local time. Most of them, 710, applied to the Lori regional court, whereas only 25 citizens applied to the Vaiots Dzor regional court. As regards the other Armenian regions, the situation was as follows: 50 citizens applied to the Aragatsotn regional court; 38 to the Tavush regional court; 91 to the Gegharkunik regional court; 200 to the Armavir regional court. Also, 195 citizens applied to the Shirak regional court, 289 to the Kotayk regional court, 215 to the Ararat regional court, and 128 to the Syunik regional court.

We would remind you that during the first round of the presidential election a total of 10,431 people applied to Armenia's courts to get restored to their voting rights. -

50% OF NDU REPS REPLACED BY PPA REPS BEFORE PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION: ALEXANDER BUTAYEV

MARCH 5. Before the presidential run-off election half of the representatives of the National Democratic Union (NDU) to district election commissions were replaced by representatives of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA).

Talking to ARMINFO, Alexander Butayev, Head of the election staff of the ex-candidate for the presidency Vazgen Manukian, said that the replacement was voluntary at the PPA's request, as the opposition candidate Stepan Demirchian is PPA Chairman. The PPA asked for the members of district election commission that made a good showing during the first round of the presidential election to be included in the commissions again. Despite the authorities' active opposition, about 900 commission members were replaced, Butayev said.

PLAN OF JOINT MEASURES OF OPERATIVE AND FIGHTING TRAINING OF CIS AIR DEFENSE 2003 APPROVED

MARCH 5. The plan of joint measures of the operative and fighting training of the CIS Air Defense in 2003 was approved in Moscow at today's session of the Coordinative Committee for Air Defense at the CIS Council of Ministers.

According to the headquarters of the CIS military cooperation, this April the command-staff training will be held within the CIS Air Defense united system. The session participants also discussed the issues of further development of the CIS Air Defense united system including the issues of financing. The CIS Air Defense united system includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The Ukraine is participating in these activities on a bilateral basis.

PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION IN NORMAL COURSE: SERGE SARGSSIAN

MARCH 5. The presidential run-off election is being held in a calm atmosphere, and the population is quite active, Head of Robert Kocharian's election staff, Minister of Defense of Armenia Serge Sargssian told reporters.

According to him, the public's behavior depends not only the incumbent authorities, but also on the opposition. Sargssian finds it difficult to forecast the opposition's behavior after the election results have been summed up, "though the lower always looks for an excuse for complaints." According to Sargssian, no serious evidence of gross violations in the voting process are now available. "I am informed of the rumors that our opponents have at their disposal ready ballot-papers. The stolen ballot-papers are in their hands and they must answer the question as to from where they [the ballot-papers] are," Sargssian said, pointing out that Armenia's law-enforcement agencies must deal with the facts of violations after the election.

Commenting on the rumors about the restationing of subdivisions of the NKR armed forces to the town of Goris in Armenia, Sargssian reported that no restationing has taken place, but the point is that the contract servicemen serving in the NKR were transported to Goris to be able to vote, as the NKR has neither polling stations nor Armenia's diplomatic mission in its territory. "Armenia's citizens serving in Nagorny Karabakh on the contractual basis have the right to and must take part in the voting," Sargssian said.

AUTHORITIES COMMITTED NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS DURING THREE HOURS OF VOTING: GRIGOR HARUTIUNIAN

MARCH 5. During the first three hours of the presidential run-off election in Armenia, the country's authorities have committed numerous violations, Grigor Harutiunian, Head of Stepan Demirchian's election staff, told reporters.

According to him, at one of the Yerevan polling stations Stepan Demirchian's proxy, Marietta Tumanian, was detained for uncertain reasons and taken to the police station. In the village of Gyughaintap the ballot-boxes were stuffed with ballot-papers filled in Robert Kocharian's favor, etc.. According to Harutiunian, today's falsifications have "surpassed" the violations committed during the first round of the presidential election.

I MLN 454.5 THOUS PEOPLE TAKEN PART IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BY 7:30 P.M. LOCAL TIME

MARCH 5. 1 mln 454.5 thous people have taken part in the Armenian Presidential Election by 7:30 p.m. local time, which totals 62.4% of the total number of the republican voters.

According to the data of the Armenian Central Electoral Commission (CEC), 59.1% voted in Yerevan, 61.7% in Kotayk region, 63.2% in Armavir region, 57.7% in Aragatsotn region, 59.9% in Shirak region, 74.7% in Syunik region, 65,9% in Vayots Dzor, 71% in Gegharkunik, 68.9% in Tavoush region, 65.4% in Ararat region, and 60% in Lori. According to CEC information, 7 thous 204 citizens of Armenia have voted abroad, which totals 47.5% of the total number of the Armenian citizens being abroad.

ARMENIA'S POLICE RECEIVED SEVEN SIGNALS ON VIOLATIONS IN PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION

MARCH 5. By 8:00 p.m., Armenia's police had received seven signals on violations during the presidential run-off election in Armenia.

Public Relations Department, Armenia's Police, reports that two of the signals concerned power cuts. Two signals concerned personal quarrels, and one signal proved false. The police received a signal from one of the polling stations in Nor Aresh that they had run out of ballot-papers, but policemen found that the information was not true.

A voter, who was campaigning for for Stepan Demirchian, was brought to the Arabkir district police station. The policemen explained to him that his actions ran contrary to the law and released him.

PETER EICKER: SECOND ROUND OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION GREATLY DIFFERS FROM FIRST ONE

MARCH 5. The second round of the presidential election in Armenia greatly differs from the first one, Chairman of the OSCE Observation Mission Peter Eicker stated during his today's meeting with the candidate for the Presidency, Leader of the National Party Stepan Demirchyan. This information was reported by Grigor Haroutyunyan, the head of Stepan Demirchyan's pre-electoral

According to him, during the meeting Stepan Demirchyan informed the heads of the OSCE and PACE monitoring groups, Peter Eicker and Lord Russell Johnston of the violations of the Electoral Code of Armenia registered by his pre-electoral staff.

85 ARMENIAN CITIZENS TOOK PART IN VOTING IN ARMENIAN EMBASSY IN LEBANON

MARCH 5. 85 Armenian citizens temporarily residing in Lebanon took part in the voting in the presidential run-off election in Armenia. The voting was held at Armenia's Embassy in Lebanon, the press service of Armenia's foreign Office reported.

4,278 CITIZENS GET JUDICIALLY RESTORED TO THEIR VOTING RIGHT

MARCH 5. A total of 4,278 Armenian citizens have applied to Armenia's courts to get restored to their voting right during the presidential run-off election in Armenia today.

Talking to ARMINFO, Press Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Ara Sahatelian reported that by 8:00 p.m. local time a total of 1,938 citizens had applied to Yerevan courts to get restored to their voting rights. The situation in Yerevan's districts was as follows: 31 citizens applied to the court of the Avan and nor Nork communities; 496 to the court of the Malatia and Sebastia communities; 194 to the court of the Shengavit community; 214 to the court of the Achapnyak and Davidashen communities. Also, 241 citizens applied to the court of the Erebuni and Nubarashen communities, 428 citizens applied to the court of the Arabkir and Kanaker-Zeitun communities, and 334 to the court of the Center and Nork Marash communities.

According to the source, a total of 2,340 citizens had applied to Armenia's regional courts to get restored to their voting rights by 8:00 p.m. local time. Most of them, 857, applied to the Lori regional court, whereas only 25 citizens applied to the Vaiots Dzor regional court. As regards the other Armenian regions, the situation was as follows: 67 citizens applied to the Aragatsotn regional court; 51 to the Tavush regional court; 112 to the Gegharkunik regional court; 274 to the Armavir regional court. Also, 248 citizens applied to the Shirak regional court, 329 to the Kotayk regional court, 233 to the Ararat regional court, and 144 to the Syunik regional court.

We would remind you that during the first round of the presidential election a total of 10,431 people applied to Armenia's courts to get restored to their voting rights.

PPA INTENDS TO APPEAL AGAINST RESULTS OF PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN CONSTITUTIONAL COURT IRRESPECTIVE OF FINAL RESULTS

MARCH 5. The People's Party of Armenia intends to appeal against the results of the Presidential runoff election in Armenia in the Constitutional Court irrespective of the final results, Head of the PPA leader, the candidate for Presidency Stepan Demirchyan's pre-election staff Grigor Haroutiunyan said at a press-conference today.

He said numerous cases of rigging necessitated the appeal. He said false ballot papers were printed before the presidential runoff election and then were filled up in favor of Robert Kocharyan. Haroutiunyan said these ballot papers were kept in safes under the security of policemen. These ballot papers were handed to the opposition by the representatives of Robert Kocharyan's pre-election staff. It should be noted that new lots of such ballot papers were receiver in the course of the press-conference. Besides, Grigor Haroutiunyan said the law-inforcement bodies detained the persons representing Stepan Demirchyan. In particular, in the town of Hrazdan a person representing Demirchyan was detained at the moment when he tried to stop the attempt of bribery of electors by the head of the personnel of the "Mika Cement" CJSC. In many regions of the country, as well as in the capital, the opposition representatives are beaten up. Haroutiunyan said in the course of the press-conference, information on an attack on the representatives of Stepan Demirchyan in Shirvanzade school of the Arabkir community.

He expressed confidence that the Armenian authorities have already prepared the necessary quantity of rigged ballot papers, which will secure the incumbent president's 68%, and Stepan Demirchyan's 32%. In connection with the violations revealed, the PPA has already applied to the Prosecutor's Office against the CEC's activity, he said. In spite of the mass rigging, the opposition believes in the victory of Stepan Demirchyan, and will achieve the legal recognition of this victory by all means, Haroutiunyan said.

TOP CLERGYMEN OF ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH TAKE PART IN PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION

MARCH 5. Top clergymen of Armenia led by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II took part in today's presidential run-off election.

They voted at the polling station situated in the building of the Knowledge association. Also there were representatives of the foreign dioceses of AAC, participating in the current meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council. His Holiness said that the Armenian clergymen did their civil duty for the sake of progress and prosperity with faith in bright future. "While voting we prayed asking God to bless the Armenian people and to protect him in the name of love and peace."

RESULTS OF PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION SUMMED UP IN TBILISI

MARCH 5. The results of today's presidential, run-off election have alrfeady been summed up in Tbilisi (Georgia).

According to the press service of Armenia's Foreign Ministry, of the 81 voters 53 voted for Robert Kocharyan, 25 for Demirtchyan and two against both candidates. One ballot-paper was declared invalid.-

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF ARMENIA FINISHED IN ELECTORAL DISTRICTS IN BEIJING, DELHI, ALMATA, ASHGABAD AND ABU-DABI

MARCH 5. The presidential election of Armenia was finished in the electoral districts in the buildings of the embassies of the Republic of Armenia in Beijing, Delhi, Almata, Ashgabad and Abu-Dabi.

ARMINFO was informed in the press service of Armenia's Foreign Ministry, 13 voters out of 20 citizens of Armenia in Beijing voted for the incumbent President Robert Kocharian, 5 - for the candidate for presidency Stepan Demirchian. 7 citizens of Armenia took part in the election in Delhi. 6 of them voted for Robert Kocharian and 1 - for Stepan Demirchian. 232 citizens of Armenia in Almata of 266 voted for Robert Kocharian, and 33 - for Stepan Demirchian. In Ashgabad 27 Armenian citizens voted for Robert Kocharian, 4 - for Stepan Demirchian. 63 citizens of Armenia took part in the presidential election of Armenia in Abu-Dabi. 56 electors voted for Robert Kocharian, and 6 - for Stepan Demirchian and 1 elector voted against all. No ballot paper in the aforementioned cities were declared invalid.

INCUMBENT PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA FAR AHEAD OF HIS RUN-OFF RIVAL

MARCH 6. As of now incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan is far ahead of his run-off rival, leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan.

According to the chairman of Armenia's Central Electoral Commission Artak Saghradyan, as of 11 pm Wednesday in 108 electoral districts Kocharyan polled 45,873 votes, that is, 69.3% against Demirtchyan's 30.7%.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: OPPOSITION HAS SEVEN SONGS, AND ALL THEY ABOUT VIOLATIONS

MARCH 6.The opposition has seven songs, and all these are about violations. The President of Armenia Robert Kocharian stated during today's briefing, commenting on the statements of the opposition on mass violations during the second round of the presidential election. According to him, all these are normal, but it's necessary to wait for final results of the voting, and then everything will be clear.

64.5% OF ELECTORS TOOK PART IN SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA

MARCH 6. According to preliminary data, 64.5% of the electors or 1 mln 506 thousands 388 people took part in the second round of the presidential election in Armenia.

According to the Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia Artak Sahradian, 68% of the electors (455,97 people) voted in Yerevan, in Aragatsotn region - 59.5% (56,356), in Ararat - 71.5% (132,396), in Armavir - 66.8% (135,850), in Gegharkunik - 78% (120,567), in Lori - 61,9% (147,985), in Kotayk - 65.6% (137,392), in Shirak - 62.2 (130,787), Syunik - 79.2% (99,110), Vayots Dzor - 68.5% (25,482) and in Tavoush - 71.9% (66,372).

Artak Sahradian stated that by 23:00 there were no signals on serious violations, which allows to say that the second round of the presidential election of Armenia came off.

ARMENIAN CITIZENS, LIVING ABROAD, FINISHED POLL OF SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA

MARCH 6. The poll of the second round of the presidential election in Armenia for the Armenian citizens, living abroad, was finished.

ARMINFO was informed in the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia, in Moscow 4,998 out of 5,854 electors voted for the incumbent president Robert Kocharian, 707 - for the candidate for presidency, the leader of the People's party Stepan Demirchian, 36 electors - against all, 113 ballot papers were declared invalid. In Athens 230 electors took part in voting, 155 of them voted for Robert Kocharian, 63 - for Stepan Demirchian, 3 electors voted against all, 9 ballot papers were declared invalid. 55 electors voted in Damascus, 43 of them voted for Robert Kocharian, 8 - for Stepan Demirchian, 2- against all, 2 ballot papers were declared invalid. 64 electors took part in voting in Cairo, 44 of them voted for Robert Kocharian, 13 - for Stepan Demirchian, 6 - against all and 1 ballot papers was declared invalid.

104 electors voted in Kiev, 56 electors voted for Robert Kocharian, 45 - for Stepan Demirchian, 3 - against all. 151 electors took part in voting in Aleppo, 114 of these people voted for Robert Kocharian, 35 - for Stepan Demirchian, 2 electors voted against all. 1,021 electors out of 1,185 in St.Petersburg voted for Robert Kocharian, 96 - for Stepan Demirchian, 56 electors were against all, 12 ballot papers were declared invalid. 68 electors of 81 in Sofia voted for Robert Kocharian, 9 - for Stepan Demirchian, and 2 voted against all, and 2 ballot papers were declared invalid.

ONE MUST ALSO BE ABLE TO LOSE WITH DIGNITY: REPRESENTATIVE OF KOCHARYAN'S ELECTORAL STAFF

MARCH 6. "One must also be able to lose with dignity without escalating the tension by reports about mass violations," propaganda executive of Pres.Kocharyan's electoral staff Vahagn Mkrtchyan told ARMINFO commenting on the opposition's reports of mass rigging of the ballot. He said that Kocharyan's staff is satisfied with the run-off election. It was well-organized. People knew better who is who.

However, from the very beginning of the run-off Stepan Demirtchyan's side had been spreading rumors about alleged violations in an obvious attempt to compromise the whole process.

"We have numerous complaints available on the internet but they lack specificity." "Some people or their neighbors reportedly saw some other people sneaking something somewhere." However, the observers and journalists, immediately arriving at the alleged scenes found nothing of the kind.

Kocharyan's staff even has a video of their "inquiries" where Demirtchyan's supporters ask with surprised faces "who told you that?." "Of course, the opposition has the right to call endless press-conferences on the subject of ballot-rigging but Kocharyan's staff prefers speaking in the language of facts."

Mkrtchyan gave one example of such allegations. One of Demirtchyan's proxies reported to the CEC a mass rigging of the ballot (casting of 600 faked ballot-papers in favour of Kocharyan) in the electoral district #0115, which, according to him, left the actual voters without ballot-papers to cast. This report was not confirmed though. "This means that already in the morning each third voter had nothing to vote on. This is an absurd." The CEC has already received a full package of complaints from both rival teams. In any case, according to Mkrtchyan, the violations were of no mass nature and will hardly affect the outcome.

The Prosecutor General's Office is already probing into the cases, including those of reported (by the press) use of ballot-papers in favour of Kocharyan. "The inquiry will show if the ballot-papers were stolen, faked with the use of special equipment, if that was a criminal negligence or provocation."

In conclusion Mkrtchyan commented on the statement by the head of Demirtchyan's electoral staff Grikor Haroutyunyan that the ratio 68-32 between Kocharyan and Demirtchyan was agreed on beforehand. "He must give facts - presidential election is not a joke."

PRES.KOCHARYAN LEADS IN 360 ELECTORAL DISTRICTS

MARCH 6. According to the data received from 360 electoral districts, 203,760 people voted there today. Incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan polled 148,046 votes (73.8%), while Leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan 52,460 votes (21.2%).

33,397 people voted in 26 electoral districts of Yerevan, of whom 23,454 voted for Kocharyan (71.28%) and 9,250 for Demirtchyan (28.28%). In 21 electoral districts of Aragatsotn region of 4,194 voters 34% voted for Demirtchyan and 66% for Kocharyan, in Ararat 21% for Demirtchyan and 79% for Kocharyan, in Armavir 35% and 65%, in Gegarkunik 7% and 93%, Lori 26% and 74%, Kotayk 37% and 63%, Shirak 25% and 75%, Syunik 21% and 79%, Vayots Dzor 32% and 68%, Tavoush 32% and 68%.

RESULTS OF PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION IN BERLIN, BUCHAREST, MINSK, VIENNA, GENEVA AND STRASBOURG SUMMED UP

MARCH 6. The preliminary results of the presidential run-off election have already been summed up in Berlin, Bucharest, Minsk, Vienna, Geneva and Strasbourg.

In Berlin of 88 people 60 voted or incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and 17 for Leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan, with 3 people voting against both candidates and 8 ballot-papers declared invalid. In Bucharest of 49 people 39 voted for Kocharyan, 4 for Demirtchyan, 5 against both candidates and 1 ballot-paper declared void.

In Minsk the figures are total 153 - 98 for Kocharyan, 46 for Demirtchyan, 7 against both, 2 invalid; in Vienna total 29 - 20 for Kocharyan, 6 for Demirchyan, 1 against both, 2 invalid; in Geneva total 26 - 17 Kocharyan, 3 Demirtchyan, 5 against, 1 invalid; in Strasbourg the figures are 14 - 4, 8, 2, 0, respectively.-

REPRESENTATIVES OF OPPOSITION THINK THAT 400,000 VOTES FALSIFIED DURING SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

MARCH 6. At least 400,000 votes of electors were falsified during the second round of the presidential election in Armenia. The Head of the election team of the candidate for presidency, the leader of the People's party of Armenia Stepan Demirchian - Grigor Haroutunian stated during a press conference tonight.

He said that according to the data of the PPA, 1,100,000 electors took part in the presidential election. According to official data, over 1.5 mln of electors took part in the election. Grigor Haroutunian said that illegal actions by the electoral commissions took place in many electoral districts, where, according to preliminary counting of votes of electors, Stepan Demirchian took leading stand. In many electoral districts representatives of opposition forces and members of electoral commissions, who tried to prevent violations, were beaten. Many proxies of Stepan Demirchian as well were beaten.

In several commission representatives of opposition forces were removed by voting and by force with the help of policemen. Besides, in many poll stations electoral commissions made decision, irrespective of the real number of votes, to give no more than 100 votes to Stepan Demirchian. Besides, in the village of Ptghni, after it became obvious superiority of 450 votes for Stepan Demirchian, the chairman of the commission about stopping the work of the commission. A skirmish between representatives of the opposition and policemen took place in one of the poll stations in the school N171 of the Avan community. According to Haroutunian, rumors were spread about that proxies of Stepan Demirchian make violations in his favor, which is a lie.

According to preliminary data of the PPA, 1,668 electors in Meghri voted for Stepan Demirchian, 1,151 - for Robert Kocharian, in village of Geghadzor 320 electors voted for Stepan Demirchian, and 280 - for Robert Kocharian, in Nor Kyank 291 electors voted for Stepan Demirchian, 274 - for Robert Kocharian, in the 4th village 807 electors voted for Stepan Demirchian and 220 - for Robert Kocharian. Irrespective of the decision of the international observers, the PPA representatives consider the second round of the election illegal, unjust and undemocratic. All possible measures will be taken for the will of the people triumphed and all the violations were revealed.

PRES.KOCHARYAN LEADS IN 360 ELECTORAL DISTRICTS

MARCH 6. According to the data received from 360 electoral districts, 203,760 people voted there today. Incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan polled 148,046 votes (73.8%), while Leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan 52,460 votes (21.2%).

33,397 people voted in 26 electoral districts of Yerevan, of whom 23,454 voted for Kocharyan (71.28%) and 9,250 for Demirtchyan (28.28%). In 21 electoral districts of Aragatsotn region of 4,194 voters 34% voted for Demirtchyan and 66% for Kocharyan, in Ararat 21% for Demirtchyan and 79% for Kocharyan, in Armavir 35% and 65%, in Gegarkunik 7% and 93%, Lori 26% and 74%, Kotayk 37% and 63%, Shirak 25% and 75%, Syunik 21% and 79%, Vayots Dzor 32% and 68%, Tavoush 32% and 68%.

SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WENT OFF IN NORMAL, WORKING ATMOSPHERE: TEAM OF CIS OBSERVATION MISSION

MARCH 6. Expectation of many people that the second round of the presidential election in Armenia will differ from the first one with low activity of electors and plenty of conflicts at electoral districts didn't come true. It was held in normal, working atmosphere and at very high activity of the Armenian electors. Representatives of the CIS observation mission Sergey Muradkhanian told ARMINFO.

According to him, no serious incidents were fixed during his joint visits with the Head of the CIS observation mission Yuri Yarov to nine poll stations. Only an insignificant incident was fixed in one of these poll stations, Muradkhanian said.

Muradkhanian said that during the second round less people than in the first one appealed to the court for restoration of their electoral rights. According to him, during the whole time of the second round the mission received only one complaint from a proxy of the candidate for presidency Stepan Demirchian. Besides, representatives of the mission had not fixed any conflicting situation in the electoral districts. Muradkhanian stressed that the March 3 TV debates between the two candidates became a serious achievement of Armenian democracy and they must become traditional in the course of all the forthcoming elections.

ELECTORAL STAFF OF ARMENIA'S PRESIDENT SATISFIED WITH COURSE OF PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION

MARCH 6. The electoral staff of Armenia's President Robert Kocharyan gives a satisfactory assessment of the course of the presidential run-off election.

The staff states that the election was free and the population has actively fulfilled its civil duty. Unfortunately, the opponents made some attempts to blacken the election through misinformation. Kocharyan staff has received numerous signals on illegal actions on the part of Demirtchyan's supporters and proxies. The protocols on the facts have been submitted to the Central Electoral Commission. At the same time, Kocharyan's staff thinks that the above facts are insignificant and have not affected the outcome of the election.

ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY DATA OF CEC, ROBERT KOCHARIAN POLLS TWICE AS MANY VOTES AS STEPAN DEMIRCHIAN

MARCH 6. According to preliminary data of the Central by 2:00 a.m. the candidate for presidency Robert Kocharian polled twice as more votes as Stepan Demirchian.

According to the data of the CEC, 511,638 ballot papers were counted. Thus, Stepan Demirchian polled 153,065 or 30.4% of votes, and Robert Kocharian - 349,757 or 69.6% of votes of the electors. Votes of 165,846 electors were counted in Yerevan - Stepan Demirchian - 56,383 or 34.02%, and Robert Kocharian - 109.354 or 66%. Aragatsotn region - 24,488 electors voted. 9,646 or 46% voted for Stepan Demirchian, and Robert Kocharian polled 11,431 or 54% of votes. Ararat region - 63,007 participants, 17,954 or 29% voted for Stepan Demirchian, and 43,712 or 71% voted for Robert Kocharian. Armavir - 72,865 electors took part. Stepan Demirchian polled 22,821 or 32%, and Robert Kocharian - 48,095 or 68% of votes. Gegharkunik region - 13,877 participants, Stepan Demirchian - 2,866 or 21%, Robert Kocharian - 10,798 or 79%. Lori region - 13,521 participants, Stepan Demirchian polled 3,467 or 26% of votes, Robert Kocharian - 9,677 or 74%. Kotayk region - 12,641 electors, Stepan Demirchian - 4,546 or 37%, Robert Kocharian - 7,839 or 63%. Shirak region - 84,299 electors, Stepan Demirchian - 19,821 or 24%, Robert Kocharian - 62,389 or 76%. Syunik region - 33,610 electors, Stepan Demirchian - 7,183 votes or 20%, Robert Kocharian - 27,857 or 80%. Region of Vayots Dzor - 4,805 votes counted, Stepan Demirchian - 1,542 or 32%, Robert Kocharian - 3,242 or 68%, Tavoush region - 22,679 electors, Stepan Demirchian - 6,836 or 315, Robert Kocharian - 15,363 or 69%.

RESULTS OF PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION IN BRUSSELS, ROME, WARSAW, PARIS AND LONDON SUMMED UP

MARCH 6. The preliminary results of the presidential run-off election have already been summed up in Brussels, Rome, Warsaw, Paris and London.

In Brussels of 117 people 100 voted for incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and 10 for Leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan, with 1 person voting against both candidates and 6 ballot-papers declared invalid. In Rome of 26 people 24 voted for Kocharyan, 2 for Demirtchyan.

In Warsaw the figures were total 28 - 24 for Kocharyan, 4 for Demirtchyan; in Paris total 174 - 126 for Kocharyan, 38 for Demirtchyan, 8 against both, 2 declared invalid; in London the figures were 32 - 18, 7, 6, 1, respectively.

STEPAN DEMIRTCHYAN PROTESTS AGAINST RESULTS OF PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION

MARCH 6. The results of the presidential run-off election do not reflect the will of the people because of numerous falsifications, says the statement of presidential candidate, leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan received by ARMINFO today.

The statements says that the election was held in an atmosphere of terror and mass violations of the ballot and the legislation. Demirtchyan urges his voters not to fall into despair as a legitimate power will certainly be formed in the country. Demirtchyan assures his electorate that he will fight till the end for the sake of justice.-

ROBERT KOCHARIAN CONTINUES TO BE IN LEAD

MARCH 6. According to the data of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia, by 5:00 a.m. the candidate for presidency Robert Kocharian continues to be in the lead and polled twice as more votes as Stepan Demirchian.

According to the CEC Deputy Chairman Hamlet Abrahamian, as of 5:00 a.m. data of 1,143 polling stations are summed up. Totally in Armenia 1,177,798 electors took part in the election. Thus, Stepan Demirchian polled 368,461 or 31.6% of votes, and Robert Kocharian - 799,091 or 68.4% of votes of the electors. According to the data of counts of 325 poll stations of Yerevan the number of electors was 369,627, 131, 384 of these people voted for Stepan Demirchian or 36.6%, and 227,847 or 63.4% - for Robert Kocharian. Aragatsotn region - 24,488 electors voted. 9,646 or 45.8%% voted for Stepan Demirchian, and Robert Kocharian polled 11,431 or 54.2% of votes. Ararat region - 131,091 participants, 41,554 or 32.4% voted for Stepan Demirchian, and 86,536 or 67.6% voted for Robert Kocharian.

In Armavir region data of 153 poll stations are summed up - 146,673 electors took part. Stepan Demirchian polled 48,881 or 34.2%, and Robert Kocharian - 93,936 or 65.8% of votes. Gegharkunik region ( data of 43 poll stations) - 34,354 participants, Stepan Demirchian - 8,817 or 26.1%, Robert Kocharian - 24,979 or 73.9%. Lori region (data of 205 poll stations) - 132,026 participants, Stepan Demirchian polled 37,049 or 28.9% of votes, Robert Kocharian - 91,141 or 81.1%. Kotayk region (84 poll stations) - 76,611 electors took part, Stepan Demirchian polled 18,172 or 24.2%, Robert Kocharian - 56,995 or 75.8%. Shirak region (data of 213 poll stations) - 133,733 electors, Stepan Demirchian - 34,893 or 26.8%, Robert Kocharian - 95,546 or 73.2%. Syunik region (120 poll stations) - 80,945 electors, Stepan Demirchian -16,029 votes or 20.2%, Robert Kocharian - 63,143 or 79.8%. Region of Vayots Dzor (data of 47 poll stations) - 25,571 participants, Stepan Demirchian polled 7,210 or 28.9%, Robert Kocharian - 17,738 or 71.1%, Tavoush region (59 poll stations) - 47,679 electors, Stepan Demirchian - 14,828 or 33.2%, Robert Kocharian - 29,799 or 66.8% of electors.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN CONTINUES TO BE IN LEAD

MARCH 6. According to the data of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia, by 5:00 a.m. the candidate for presidency Robert Kocharian continues to be in the lead and polled twice as more votes as Stepan Demirchian.

According to the CEC Deputy Chairman Hamlet Abrahamian, as of 5:00 a.m. data of 1,143 polling stations are summed up. Totally in Armenia 1,177,798 electors took part in the election. Thus, Stepan Demirchian polled 368,461 or 31.6% of votes, and Robert Kocharian - 799,091 or 68.4% of votes of the electors. According to the data of counts of 325 poll stations of Yerevan the number of electors was 369,627, 131, 384 of these people voted for Stepan Demirchian or 36.6%, and 227,847 or 63.4% - for Robert Kocharian. Aragatsotn region - 24,488 electors voted. 9,646 or 45.8%% voted for Stepan Demirchian, and Robert Kocharian polled 11,431 or 54.2% of votes. Ararat region - 131,091 participants, 41,554 or 32.4% voted for Stepan Demirchian, and 86,536 or 67.6% voted for Robert Kocharian.

In Armavir region data of 153 poll stations are summed up - 146,673 electors took part. Stepan Demirchian polled 48,881 or 34.2%, and Robert Kocharian - 93,936 or 65.8% of votes. Gegharkunik region ( data of 43 poll stations) - 34,354 participants, Stepan Demirchian - 8,817 or 26.1%, Robert Kocharian - 24,979 or 73.9%. Lori region (data of 205 poll stations) - 132,026 participants, Stepan Demirchian polled 37,049 or 28.9% of votes, Robert Kocharian - 91,141 or 81.1%. Kotayk region (84 poll stations) - 76,611 electors took part, Stepan Demirchian polled 18,172 or 24.2%, Robert Kocharian - 56,995 or 75.8%. Shirak region (data of 213 poll stations) - 133,733 electors, Stepan Demirchian - 34,893 or 26.8%, Robert Kocharian - 95,546 or 73.2%. Syunik region (120 poll stations) - 80,945 electors, Stepan Demirchian -16,029 votes or 20.2%, Robert Kocharian - 63,143 or 79.8%. Region of Vayots Dzor (data of 47 poll stations) - 25,571 participants, Stepan Demirchian polled 7,210 or 28.9%, Robert Kocharian - 17,738 or 71.1%, Tavoush region (59 poll stations) - 47,679 electors, Stepan Demirchian - 14,828 or 33.2%, Robert Kocharian - 29,799 or 66.8% of electors.

PRELIMINARY DATA: INCUMBENT PRESIDENT ROBERT KOCHARIAN RE-ELECTED FOR SECOND TERM

MARCH 6. According to preliminary data, the incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharian has been re-elected for the second term.

According to the Central Electoral Commission's preliminary calculations, President Kocharian received 67.5% of votes, against PPA Leader Stepan Demirchian's 32.5%. By 12.00 am. local time Thursday, the preliminary results of the election on 1,864 of 1,865 electoral districts were summed up. In the whole, 1 mln 583 thous. 107 electors participated in the voting.

Robert Kocharian was born on Aug 31, 1954 in the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, Stepanakert. He underwent his army service in 1972-74. He graduated from the Yerevan State Polytechnic Institute with an engineering degree. He married Bella Kocharian and they have three children.

He occupied different posts in Komsomol and Communist party bodies in 1980. Robert Kocharian's leadership began as early as 1989, when he became a key person in Nagorno-Karabakh's self-determination movement, one of the founders of the Miatsum (Unification) non-governmental organization, and an Adviser to the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Nagorno-Karabakh. In 1989, he was elected deputy to the Supreme Soviet (Parliament) of the Republic of Armenia as a representative of Nagorno-Karabakh. In 1992, Robert Kocharian was appointed Prime Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, while also heading the State Committee on Defense. Under Kocharian's leadership, Nagorno-Karabakh became a negotiating member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for the settlement of the conflict. He also became the first Karabakh representative to negotiate directly on behalf of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh in international forums. In 1994, by an overwhelming majority, Robert Kocharian was elected the first President of Nagorno-Karabakh. In 1997, Armenia's First President, Levon Ter-Petrossian appointed Robert Kocharian as Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. Robert Kocharian was elected President of Armenia on March 30, 1998.

PRELIMINARY DATA: MAJORITY OF ARMENIAN CITIZENS RESIDING ABROAD VOTED IN FAVOR OF ROBERT KOCHARYAN

MARCH 6. According to preliminary data, most of the Armenian citizens residing abroad gave their votes to the incumbent President Robert Kocharyan in the presidential runoff election in Armenia.

According to Press Secretary of the CEC RA Lilit Sedrakyan, 11 electors voted in Canada, one of them in favor of Stepan Demirchyan, 9 in favor of Robert Kocharyan. From 64 votes in Los Angeles, 27 were in favor of Stepan Demirchyan, 30 - Robert Kocharyan. 38 electors voted in New York, 15 in favor of Demirchyan, 19 - Kocharyan. From 42 votes in Argentine, 17 were in favor of Stepan Demirchyan, 20 - Robert Kocharyan. 12 electors voted in San Paulo, with all them being in favor of Robert Kocharyan.

She said, 137 electors voted in Lebanon, 29 of them for Demirchyan, 106 for Kocharyan. In Romania, 49 electors voted, 4 of them in favor of Demirchyan, 39 of Robert Kocharyan. In Berlin the number of electors was 88 people, 17 of them for Demirchyan, 60 for Kocharyan. 26 electors voted in Geneve, 17 for Kocharyan. 153 electors voted in Belarus, 46 for Demirchyan, 98 for Kocharyan. 151 in Aleppo, 35 for Demirchyan, 114 for Kocharyan. In St. Petersburg, from 1,185 electors, 96 voted in favor of Demirchyan, 1,021 of Kocharyan. 104 people voted in the Ukraine, 45 for Demirchyan, and 56 for Kocharyan.

In Greece, 63 votes were given to Stepan Demirchyan, 155 to Robert Kocharyan, in Tbilisi 25 and 53, respectively. In Abu-Dhabi, from 63 electors, 6 voted for Demirchyan, 56 for Kocharyan. 74 voted in Tehran, 4 for Demirchyan and 68 for Kocharyan. In Pekin, from 20 electors, 5 voted for Demirchyan, 13 for Kocharyan

BY 8:00 AM. LOCAL TIME INCUMBENT PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA FAR AHEAD OF HIS RUN-OFF RIVAL

MARCH 6. As of 8:00 am. local time, the incumbent President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan is far ahead of his run-off rival, leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchyan.

According to Secretary of Armenia's Central Electoral Commission Anna Aleskanyan, as of 8:00 am Thursday, ballot papers of 1,576,401 electors of 1849 of 1865 electoral districts in Armenia have been summed up. According to preliminary data, Kocharyan received 1,032,892 votes, that is, 67.5% against Demirchyan's 32.5% (496,968 votes). The number of the registered inaccuracies totalled 2,952.

CEC RECEIVES 50 COMPLAINTS REGARDING VIOLATIONS DURING PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION

MARCH 6. The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia have received 50 complaints regarding violations in the course of the presidential runoff election in the country.

Head of the CEC Juridical Department Nune Hovhannissyan, by 10:00 am. on March 6, 32 complaints were satisfied. The remainder is still in the process of consideration. The complaints mainly touched upon the untimely stoppage of the powers of members of polling stations. A number of complaints referred the intervention of several persons representing the candidates and observers into the work of electoral commissions. Besides, several complaints had ballot papers preliminary fill up in favor of one of the candidates enclosed to them. Nune Hovhannissyan said these complaints will be submitted to the law-inforcement bodies for further examination.

Besides, the CEC received a signal on infringement of the rights of Stepan Demirchyan's representative Marietta Tumanyan, who, according to Demirchyan's staff, was taken to the police department. Hovhannissyan pointed out that the given complaint was immediately sent to the Head of the Police Department, who responded that Marietta Tumanyan was called to the police unit to give some explanations concerning electoral lists. Nune Hovhannissyan said majority of the facts mentioned in the above complaints proved to be groundless. The last complaint was received at 1:00 am on March 6.

PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN ARMENIA DEMOCRATIC AND WELL-ORGANIZED

MARCH 6.The presidential runoff election in Armenia were democratic, well-organized and legitime, taking into account the provisions of Armenia's Electoral Code, say the CIS observers as a result of the monitoring on the March 5 runoff election in the country. Head of the CIS observer mission Yuri Yarov read out this statement today.

According to the statement, the Armenian CEC, state authorities and departments exerted all the measures on holding presidential runoff election in conformity with the international standards and Armenia's Electoral Legislation. All the organizational, technical and legal prerequisites were created for international monitoring of the election. The recent open TV debates between the two presidential candidates had a positive impact on the improvement of the pre-election situation, the statement says. "In the period between the first and the second rounds of the election, there was definite tension in the country, including statements lacking control made by different representatives of pre-election staffs," the statement says.

Further in the statement, the CIS observers mention cases of biased press coverage of the pre-election campaign. Besides, the mission fixed several shortcomings in the course of the runoff election. Thus, inaccuracies in electoral lists were not eliminated at several poling stations, as well as there were no examples of the order of ballot paper-filling at a number of polling stations; there were violations revealed in the course of vote calculation, including attempts of infringement of observers' rights by members of electoral commissions. Several members of commissions were withdrawn from the staffs because of different reasons, in spite of violations of the Electoral Legislation.

However, no mass deviations from the norms of the Electoral Legislation were observed, with several of them having been eliminated at once. On the whole, the CIS observer mission is of the opinion that the above cases had no essential impact on the free expression of the people's will. At the same time, the results of voting at several electoral districts should be estimated by the CEC RA, taking into account the provisions of the legislation. The CIS observers visited 216 electoral center an districts, as well as a great number of regional electoral commissions in Armenia.

12,968 ARMENIAN CITIZENS RESIDING ABROAD PARTICIPATED IN PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN ARMENIA

MARCH 6. 12,968 Armenian citizens residing abroad participated in the presidential runoff election in the country, CEC Chairman Artak Sahradyan said today, pointing out that these are only preliminary data.

He said voting in several countries have not been completed so far, so the final results will be presented later. In particular, from 5,847 votes in Moscow, 4,998 were in favour of Robert Kocharyan, 706 of Stepan Demirchyan. From 74 votes in Tehran, 68 were in favour of Kocharyan, 4 of Demirchyan, from 137 votes in Beirut, 106 were in favour of Kocharyan, 25 of Demirchyan. 32 people voted in London, 18 of them for Kocharyan, 7 for Demirchyan. 117 people voted in Brussels, 100 of them for Kocharyan, 10 for Demirchyan, in Rome, 24 of 26 electors gave their votes to Kocharyan, 2 to Demirchyan. in Warsaw 24 of 28 voters preferred Kocharyan's candidature, 4 that of Demirchyan's. 174 people voted in Paris, where Kocharyan received 126 votes, against Demirchyan's 38. In Berlin 88 electors voted, 60 of them in favour of Kocharyan, against Demirchyan's 17.

In Bucharest, 49 people voted, 39 for Kocharyan, 4 for Demirchyan. From 153 votes in Minsk, 98 were in favour of Kocharyan, 46 of Demirchyan. In Vienna, 20 of 29 votes were in favour of Kocharyan, against Demirchyan's 6. 17 of 26 votes in Geneve were for Kocharyan, against Demirchyan's 3. In Strasburg, from 14 voters, 4 gave their votes to Kocharyan, 8 to Demirchyan. In Athens, 115 of 230 votes were in favour of Kocharyan, 63 of Demirchyan, in Damascus 43 of 55 votes were given to Kocharyan, 8 to Demirchyan. From 64 votes in Cairo, 44 were in favour of Kocharyan, 13 of Demirchyan. In Kiev, 56 of 104 votes were given to Kocharyan, against Demirchyan's 45. From 151 votes in Aleppo, 114 were given to Kocharyan, 35 to Demirchyan, 1,185 votes were registered in St. Petersburg, 1.021 in favour of Kocharyan, 96 of Demirchyan. From 81 votes in Sofia, 68 were in favour of Kocharyan, against Demirchyan's 9. In the whole, 15,000 citizens of Armenians resigning abroad have electoral rights.-

CEC CHAIRMAN BELIEVES PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN ARMENIA CALM AND OPEN

MARCH 6. Chairman of the Armenian Central Electoral Commission Artak Sahradyan is sure that the presidential runoff election in the country were held calmly and openly.

Talking to journalists, Sahradyan said there were no serious violations in the course of the voting and calculation of the results. He said at present the CEC has not received any new complainants. Touching upon the question whether the complaints made by the opposition camp concerning the organization and holding of the election will have any impact on the final results, Sahradyan said that the violations fixed in the course of the runoff election were not serious enough to influence the final results.-

MASS MEDIA MAY BE PRESSURIZED: MARK GRIGORIAN

MARCH 6. The results of the monitoring of mass media coverage of the presidential run-off election in Armenia give occasion to suppose that mass media and journalists feel pressure or are in fear of direct pressure, Deputy Director of the Caucasian Institute of Mass Media Mark Grigorian told reporters today.

According to him, cases of violence against journalists were recorded both during the first round of the presidential election and during the run-off. Violence was used against reporters of the "Aizhm" newspaper, the "Shant" and "A1+" TV channels, as well as against an independent reporter. The monitoring group received information that during the election campaign one of the reporters one a private TV channel was made to go on holiday, as the TV company management disagreed with the political bias of his reports. Also, Grigorian said, the Russian NTV TV channels has not be relayed in Armenia since February 26, the broadcasting of the Armenian service of the "Voice of America" radio was stopped in Armenia for a day, the "Golos Armenii" newspaper disappeared from the news-stalls, and the "Shant" TV channel cancelled a program dedicated to the presidential election.

MASS MEDIA WERE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PROVIDE EQUAL CONDITIONS TO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN RUN-OFF ELECTION: MARK GRIGORIAN

MARCH 6. During the presidential run-off election, Armenia's mass media were unable or unwilling to provide equal conditions to the presidential candidates to present their programs to the voters, Deputy Director of the Caucasian Institute of Mass Media Mark Grigorian told reporters, commenting on the results of monitoring of the presidential run-off election in Armenia.

Ha said that, according to the results of the monitoring, the proxies for the opposition presidential candidate, PPA Chairman Stepan Demirchian had a limited access to the mass media, and news and analytical programs were of an "anti-opposition" character. "Armenia's Public Television was campaigning for the incumbent President even in its sport news program, whereas the opposition candidate was presented in the negative, sometimes insulting, light," Grigorian said, adding that in covering the run-off election Armenia's mass media did not observe the principles of ethics and respects for the political opponents. Articles, TV reports and comments going beyond the rules of journalists' conduct were most frequent on the Armenian Public TV, the "Prometevs" TV channel, as well as in the newspapers "Hayots Ashharh," "Golos Armenii," "Novoye Vremya," "Iravunk." All the newspapers violated the articles of Armenia's Election Code prohibiting canvassing on the election day, Grigorian said. As during the first round, foreign citizens were noticed campaigning.

"MATENADARAN" ADMINISTRATION COMPLAINS OF DISTURBANCE

MARCH 6. Although the administration of the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts "Matenadaran" has addressed a complaint to the Yerevan Municipality, demanding normal conditions for the Institute's work and prohibition of any meetings in the square in front of the Institute, the opposition will hold its rally there at 4:00 p.m. local time, Grigor Harutiunian, head of Stepan Demirchian's election staff, told a news briefing at the Armenian National Assembly.

He sated that Stepan Demirchian will not recognize the election results. He reminded the journalists of Demirchian's statement made late at night, during the preliminary calculation of votes. According to the statement, the results of the run-off election do not reflect the people's will. "The run-off was held in an atmosphere of terror and violence, with numerous falsifications and violations of the election laws," says the statement. The PPA leader urged his supporters not to fall into despair, as legitimate authorities will certainly be formed in Armenia. In his statement, Demirchian assured his electorate that he will struggle to the end for justice to triumph. The Yerevan Municipality did not sanction today's meeting. According to the preliminary data, Robert Kocharian received 67.5% of votes, and Stepan Demirchian 32.5%.

STEPAN DEMIRCHIAN WILL NOT RECOGNIZE ELECTION RESULTS: GRIGOR HARUTIUNIAN

MARCH 6. The presidential candidate, Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia (PPA) Stepan Demirchian will by no means recognize the results of the presidential run-off election in Armenia, Grigor Harutiunian, head of Stepan Demirchian's election staff stated at a news briefing at the National Assembly of Armenia.

According to him, hardly any article of the Election Code was observed during the run-off election. He claimed that the election process was accompanied with an unprecedented number of falsifications. Harutiunian pointed out that Stepan Demirchian's election staff sent over 100 complaints of violations to the Central Electoral Commission. In particular, PPA representatives were removed from district election commissions, and proxies for Stepan Demirchian were subjected to pressure. According to Harutiunian, the number of complaints lodged with district election commissions by Stepan Demirchian's proxies is quite large, so announcement of the final results of run-off election should not expected in 72 hours. Harutiunian gave assurances that the official results of the presidential run-off election in Armenia will be summed up in six days.

It should be noted that, according to the CEC's preliminary data, Armenia's incumbent President Robert Kocharian received 67.5% of votes, and Stepan Demirchian 32.5%. Calculation of votes is continuing.

RESULTS OF SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DO NOT GIVE OCCASION TO HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THEIR IMPARTIALITY

MARCH 6. The results of the second round of the presidential election do not give occasion to have doubts about their impartiality, Deputy Leader of the "Orinats Yerkir" party Mher Shahgeldyan stated at a briefing at the National Assembly of Armenia today.

According to him, some excesses were registered during the voting, however, they did not influence the preliminary results promulgated by the Armenian Central Electoral Commission (CEC). Shahgeldyan said that the opposition forces may hold meetings, however, the tense atmosphere as it followed the first round of the election can hardly be expected.

Shahgeldyan said that the conduct of the meetings and processions is the constitutional right of the citizens of Armenia and they can use this right. According to the opposition forces, the second round of th election was fully falsified. However, Shahgeldyan does not agree with this pointing out that the election was held in a normal and quiet atmosphere.

It should be noted that the "Orinats Yerkir" party supported Armenia's incumbent President Robert Kocharyan's candidacy during the Armenian presidential election. According to the preliminary data, Robert Kocharyan has received 67.5% votes, and Leader of the National Party Stepan Demirchyan has received 32.5% votes.

PACE RAPPORTEUR ON KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT REFRAINS FROM VISITING STEPANAKERT

MARCH 6. At its today's conference in Paris PACE Political Committee heard the report of PACE rapporteur on the Karabakh conflict settlement Tarry Davis on his last meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

According to the leader of the Armenian delegation to PACE Hovhannes Hovhannissyan, Davis said that during his Mar tour of the South Caucasus he will visit Yerevan and Baku, but is going to refrain from visiting Stepanakert. Now Hovhannissyan is writing a letter to Davis to ask him about the reasons of this decision.

At the same time, Hovhannissyan noted that Davis's last meeting with the OSCE Mg co-chairs was quite fruitful. He also said that PACE Political Committee did not discuss the Karabakh problem during the Paris meeting thereby fulfilling the request of the Armenian delegation to avoid discussing the problem in their absentia. To remind, the Armenian delegation was unable to take part in the meeting because of the presidential run-off election in Armenia.

WAVE OF RALLIES AND PROCESSIONS BEFORE SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CREATED NEEDLES TENSION AND NERVOUSNESS IN ARMENIAN SOCIETY

MARCH 6. Wave of rallies and processions on the threshold of the second round of the presidential election created needless tension and nervousness in the Armenian society. The Head of the CIS Observation Mission, the Executive Secretary of CIS Yuri Yarov told the journalists today.

Commenting on the facts of detained participants of the rallies and processions, Yuri Yarov stressed that it would be more correct immediately to give estimation to these actions and within the legislation to inform the society - "why? who and what for?". "If an full information was given for every case all the misunderstanding would be removed", the CIS executive secretary stated. Yuri Yarov stressed that during the rallies and processions the Armenian opposition had made incorrect expressions, many of which were not true. In particular, Yuri Yarov mentioned the rumors, spread in one of the rallies, about his resignation from the post of the head of the observation mission from the CIS countries.

PRESENCE OF STRANGERS AT POLLING STATIONS, OBSTACLES TO OBSERVER ACTIVITIES INFRINGEMENTS OF ARMENIA'S ELECTION CODE: VLADIMIR BUTAYEV

MARCH 6. Presence of strangers at polling stations and putting obstacles to observer activities are infringements of Armenia's Election Code, Coordinator of the observer mission of the Central Electoral Commissions of the CIS member-countries Vladimir Butayev told reporters.

According to him, police was called to one of the polling stations, the pretext being observers' interference in the vote-count votes. The reason for that was "the observers' standing 1.5 meters away, while they were supposed to sit," Butayev said. According to him, necessary measures were taken, and, after Commission Chairwoman Gayane Sargssian and the CEC Secretary interfered, the problem was settled.

LAW VIOLATIONS RECORDED DURING PREPARATION FOR RUN-OFF

MARCH 6. Violations of Armenia's law were recorded during the preparation for the presidential run-off election in Armenia, Head of the observer mission of the CIS Parliamentary Assembly Konstantin Markelov told reporters today.

According to him, the violations were not numerous. Markelov singled out the "removal" of an election commission member at polling station 324 in election district 15, as his resignation application proved false. About 70 such cases were recorded during the monitoring. Markelov also pointed out refusals of election commissions to revise the results of the first round of the presidential election in 30 polling stations, which runs contrary to the law. Commenting on the opposition's recent statements on falsification of 400,000 ballot-papers, Markelov expressed the opinion that this figure is most likely to be exaggerated. He pointed out that the CIS observers did not record any cases of mass ballot-box stuffing.

VIOLATIONS CANNOT INFLUENCE ELECTION RETURNS: CIS OBSERVERS

MARCH 6. The violations committed during the presidential run-off election were not numerous and have not exerted a considerable influence on the election returns, the CIS observers told a press conference.

They stated that in the overwhelming majority of polling stations the voting was calm and well-organized. The observers were welcomed at all the polling stations and by election commissions and proxies for the presidential candidates. The observers did not record any critical remarks on the proxies' part at the polling stations they could visit. Coordinator of the observer mission of the Central Electoral Commission of the CIS members Vladimir Butayev pointed out that the observers visited three polling stations where servicemen were voting. According to him, the voting was well-organized and held in a calm atmosphere. The servicemen were not accompanied by their commanders. No critical remarks were received from the candidates' proxies and representatives of international organizations.

RESULTS OF SECOND ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA CREATED GOOD PREREQUISITES FOR COUNTRY'S FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

MARCH 6. The results of the second round of the Presidential election in Armenia have created good prerequisites for the country's further development, the head of the parliamentary majority in the Armenian Parliament, Chairman of the "Unity Bloc" faction Galust Sahakyan said at today's briefing at the Armenian Parliament.

According to Sahakyan, the bloc positively assessed the preliminary results of the presidential run-off election, and takes the view that during the next five years Armenia must go on forming the country's political system. "There are no winners and losers at the election, as the development directions are eventually determined which will allow ensuring the achievement of positive results in the republic," the Armenian MP stressed.

It should be noted that the Republican Party of Armenia which comprises the majority at the Armenian parliament supported Armenia's incumbent President Robert Kocharyan's candidacy during the Armenian presidential election, who, according to the preliminary data, was re-elected at the run-off election.

PACE OBSERVER MISSION DISAPPOINTED BY NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS IN PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION: RUSSEL JOHNSTON

MARCH 6. The OSCE observer mission is disappointed by the numerous violations of Armenia's election Code during the presidential run-off election in Armenia, Head of the PACE observer mission, the Lord Russel Johnston told a press conference.

According to him, the run-off election was not actually different from the first round. He stressed that the violations and falsification that took place during the first round recurred during the run-off election. Specifically, in question is ballot-box stuffing. The vote-count procedure, as well as mass arrests of opposition representatives before the run-off and impunity of the falsifiers, was especially unsatisfactory, Johnston said. He also stressed that if the opposition political figures or mass media are prosecuted in Armenia after the presidential election, it will cause PACE's negative reaction.

Russel Johnston stressed that in the run-off election the international observers expected elimination of the faults noticed during the first round of the presidential election. However, the world cannot change in two weeks, Johnston said. He reported that PACE has no powers to apply sanctions to any country because elections there are not democratic, but the recorded faults will be reflected in PACE's report on the monitoring in Armenia. At the same time, Johnston pointed out positive changes during the presidential election in Armenia. Specifically, the population was active during the voting, the presidential candidates had a TV debate, no cases of violence were recorded despite the domestic political tension.

"If Armenia wants to become a democratic country, the country's authorities must cooperate with the opposition, and the authorities' attitude to the elections must be adequate to that of the population," Johnston said. He stressed that although disappointed, he hopes for improvement of the election process situation in Armenia and that democratic progress will be recorded during the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA DOES NOT COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRATIC STANDARDS: HEAD OF OSCE OBSERVATION MISSION

MARCH 6. The presidential election in Armenia does not comply with the international democratic standards, the head of the OSCE Observation Mission Peter Eicher said at a press-conference today.

Both the ballot and the poll were held with gross violations of Armenia's electoral code. The observers were mostly disappointed with the fact that the CEC delayed the publication of the results of the first round. This fact gave rise to considerable doubt among the voters. Eicher said that the preliminary and final results of the voting in various territorial districts were often contradictory.

Eicher said that mass ballot-box stuffing was observed during both the first and the second rounds of the election. The electoral code was repeatedly violated though as a document it creates all the prerequisites for conducting free and transparent election.

The OSCE observers are also displeased with the facts of mass arrests of oppositionists on the eve of the run-off election. This is a gross violation of the standards of democracy and Armenia's membership commitments to the CE. Armenia's Public Television was biased in its coverage of the race. The government did nothing to make liable the falsifiers of the ballot.

But there were some positive moments too. The population was active, no cases of violence were registered despite high-running tensions. The unprecedented conduct of TV debates between the run-off rivals was also a positive occurrence.

Eicher said that the final assessment will be given after the votes are counted and the appeals are considered. If necessary the mission will make an additional resolution. However, the mission is not authorized to declare the election invalid. "This must be done by the Armenian people itself."

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA WAS USURPATION OF POWER: ARMENIAN OPPOSITION

MARCH 6. The presidential election in Armenia was an usurpation of power. Such a statement was made by leader of the Hanrapetoutyun party Albert Bazeyan during today's 30,000-strong rally of the Armenian opposition. The results of the election have nothing to do with the actual will of the Armenian people. The will of almost half a million of voters was distorted through mass falsifications and violations. Ballot-boxes were stuffed with faked ballot-papers, voters were pressured or bribed, oppositionists were arrested.

The government machinery was instructed to ensure 70% for Pres.Kocharyan. Meanwhile, the Diaspora does not support him, to which testify the results of the voting in Los Angeles where 90% voted for leader of the People's Party of Armenia Stepan Demirtchyan. Leader of the Constitutional Right Union Hrant Khachatryan said that the falsifications were effected by the ruling clans, who fear to lose their illegal incomes.

During the rally 15 public and political organizations stated that the opposition does not recognize the results of the presidential election and will fight for declaring them invalid. They said that they will fight for changing the anti-national regime and for ensuring the triumph of the people's will.-

ROBERT KOCHARIAN RECEIVES YURI YAROV

MARCH 6. The President of Armenia Robert Kocharian received the CIS Executive Secretary, the Head of CIS Observation Mission Yuri Yarov today.

ARMINFO was informed in the press service of the president, Yuri Yarov presented Kocharian with the conclusion of the observation mission of CIS countries about the results of the second round of the presidential election. He also said that the conclusion of the mission was presented to the Council of the leaders of CIS countries. During the meeting the participants discussed possibility of expansion of economic cooperation of CIS countries.

CHAIRMAN OF CIS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE YURI YAROV HIGHLY ASSESSED CONTRIBUTION OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT TO ACTIVITIES OF CIS INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

MARCH 6. Chairman of the CIS Executive Cimmittee Yuri Yarov highly assessed the contribution of the Armenian Parliament to the activities of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. Yarov stated this during his meeting with Armenian Speaker Armen Khachatryan. The meeting was also attended by Armenian Ambassador to Belarus Suren Haroutyunyan.

The press service of the Armenian Parliament told ARMINFO that Yuri Yarov expressed the hope that if Armenia actively participates in the CIS Presidents' Forum, which is expected to be held in Yalta on September 30, the united free trade zone will be established which is of major imporatnce for the economic development of the states.

Touching upon the issue of the second round of the Armenian presidential election, the coordinator of the observation council pointed out that the election was held in a democratic way. At the same time, he stressed the necessity of some amendments in the Electoral Code of Armenia, in particular, it concerned the people whose names could not be found in the electoral lists. He also stressed Armenia's great progress as regards the conduct of the parliamentary and presidential election which is a great achievement leading to the country's democratization.

According to Armenian Speaker Armen Khachatryan, the Electoral Code must be elaborated on an experimental basis and then all necessary amendments should be made. Speaking of the issue of the activities of CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Armen Khachatryan accepted the proposal to exercise the control for the implementation of the decisions for ensuring their effectiveness.

STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN: I WILL CONSISTENTLY STRUGGLE FOR RESTORATION OF JUSTICE IN ARMENIA

MARCH 6. "I will consistently struggle for the restoration of justice in Armenia, as well as for the legal power within the framework of the country's Constitution," Armenian Presidential candidate, Leader of the National Party Stepan Demirchyan said at today's meeting held by the opposition in the centre of Yerevan.

According to Demirchyan, Robert Kocharyan is trying to keep the power by all means, not taking into account the will of the Armenian people and the country's international image. Demirchyan motivated his participation in the run-off election by the fact that he had relied on the authoriries' good sense. Demirchyan hoped that the results of the second round will not be falsified, as those of the first round were.

Speaking at the meeting, a member of the "Hanrapetoutyun" party, Aram Sargsyan stated that "during these 2-3 days the opposition will attain the removal of the regime currently ruling in Armenia." The meeting organizers said that at 4:00 p.m. March 7, another meeting will be held at the square in front of Matenadaran in order to discuss the response of the Armenian Central Electoral Commission to the opposition's demand to declare invalid the results of the Armenian Presidential Election

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: ROBERT KOCHARIAN RE-ELECTED ARMENIA'S PRESIDENT

MARCH 6. According to the preliminary results of the presidential run-off election in Armenia, the country's incumbent President Robert Kocharian has been re-elected Armenia's President.

According to the final protocol of the preliminary results adopted by the Central Electoral Commission, Robert Kocharian received 67.5% or 1,045,801 votes. Chairman of the People's Party of Armenia, opposition candidate Stepan Demirchian received 32.5% or 503,136 votes. The number of inaccuracies is 3,138. A total of 1,596,204 voters took part in the voting.

LEGAL ACTION BROUGHT AGAINST MURDERERS OF TIGRAN NAGHDALYAN

MARCH 6.A legal action has been brought against the 6 members of the criminal group detained quite recently on suspicion of killing the chairman of the Board of Armenia's Public Television Tigran Naghdalyan.

The investigation is being held by the Prosecutor General's Office. No names are given for the time being. The details will be promulgated later.