Village Mayoral Elections in Armenia: Only One Candidate in 7 Rural Communities

On Mar. 9, residents of 40 rural communities in Armenia will vote for a new village mayor. In 7 of these communities, there remains only one candidate, reports local daily Haykakan Zhamanak.

The period of potential candidates submitting their nominations just concluded. If they change their mind, candidates have until Feb. 27 to withdraw their nominations.

The newspaper reports that all those 7 communities, two candidates were registered because, according to the Electoral Code, elections won't take place if there is only one candidate; however, in these communities, one of the candidates withdrew his candidacy not long after he submitted it. 

The remaining lone candidates are incumbent village mayors: 

1. Aragatsotn province's Vardablur village mayor, Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) member Artavazd Galstyan
2. Ararat province's Yeghegnavan village mayor Hovsep Ghazaryan (nominated by HHK), who has held the position since 1996
3. Ararat province's Hayanist village mayor Balabek Sarkisyan, who has had the position since 2010
4. Lori province's Dzoramut village mayor, another HHK member, Ararat Pnjoyan, in the position since 2010
5. Lori province's Novoseltsovo village mayor, HHK member Ruben Davoyan, who has been the village mayor for 17 years
6. Kotayk province's Hatsavan village mayor, Prosperous Armenia Party member Shavarsh Sargsyan has held the post since 2003
7. Tavush province's Khachardzan village mayor, HHK member Gagik Shahnazaryan likewise has been the mayor since 2003