Jermuk Residents Against Amulsar But Voted for Mayor Who Supports Mine Exploitation

The mayoral elections in the resort town of Jermuk on June 8 passed peacefully, without serious violations at polling stations, election observer Vakhtang Siradeghyan informed Epress.am.

“Violations occur not on election day and not in the polling stations, but outside. He who is able to bring more people to vote wins. And bringing more people is he who has command over the administrative resources,” said Siradeghyan.

According to preliminary results, incumbent, Republican Party of Armenia candidate Vardan Hovhannisyan was elected in Jermuk, with 2,286 votes.

According to EcoLur, Jermuk residents are against exploitation of Amulsar mine, but they voted for a mayor who is in favor of it. The issue is a priority in Jermuk, where residents have protested mine operations for years. In 2013, residents went to court with a lawsuit to recognize Jermuk as a community affected by Amulsar mine exploitation.

The lawsuit was rejected in all instances of the courts in Armenia, but residents intend to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, as they believe the mine will damage Jermuk's reputation as a resort town.

According to the last draft of Amulsar mine operation, Gndevaz, Gorayk, and Saravan were recognized as affected communities.

The re-elected mayor, Ecolur reports, stated that he is in favor of the Amulsar mine operation, since if the correct technology is applied, it won't prevent tourism development.