‘What Does It Mean, Don’t Bother to Vote?’ Asks Opposition Party Leader

Assurances that the elections will be free, fair and transparent shouldn’t be taken seriously, since those behind the previous fraudulent elections were never held accountable, said People’s Party of Armenia leader Stepan Demirchyan, speaking to reporters in Yerevan today.

“I’m not speaking only about [the] 2008 [presidential election]. Do you remember, also in 2003, they were demanding — the Council of Europe was also demanding — to hold those who rigged [the election] accountable,” he said.

The opposition member believes that moving to a 100% proportional ballot is the right decision for stabilizing Armenia’s political system, though his party is not, on principle, against the majority system. “This doesn’t mean that we’ll be insured against all types of fraud, but it will be a step in the right direction.”

Demirchyan also urged everyone to vote. “What does it mean, don’t bother or there’s no point in voting, it’s the same, they’ll be rigged anyway? This process will encourage also the public to be more [politically] active, which will lead to serious reform. We must continue the struggle, which at this stage assumes voting in the parliamentary elections.”

Weighing in on the Armenian National Congress candidate list (of which his party is a member), he reminded the press that it’s not yet ready, but once it is, the public will be informed.

“At the end of February, this issue will be clarified. As for reports that there are disagreements in the [Armenian National] Congress regarding these lists, you know, comprising a list is a very serious and difficult task, especially when there are more than 10 parties in a single bloc. It’s hard, but solvable,” he said.