"Struggle will be tense"
The May 31 election to the city council is not an ordinary election. It will either fill up or deepen the existing gap. The last year's post-election antagonist is still perceived in the country," says candidate of jurisprudence Hrayr Tovmasyan.
The legal expert thinks the authorities will demonstrate sobriety during the upcoming election and find a way out of this situation. "They are obliged to guarantee a free and fair election. I do understand the authorities' stance as well. They have a problem of activating the electorate."
Hrayr Tovmasyan is convinced that the election race for the city mayor will be rather tense. "The election will resemble a parliamentary one but, unlike other elections, it will be conducted through an Elder's quorum. The key actors of the political domain will enter into a struggle. The election of Yerevan's Mayor is a political election. And if anyone disagrees with me, let him cast a stone."
The election campaign kicks off on March 2 and lasts till May 30. Under the legislation, a candidate can withdraw from the race ten days before the Election Day.
Note that each candidate is to pay caution money of 2 million drams and in case he/she passes the 7-percent threshold, the money will be paid back. All candidates will be given equal footing during the campaign.
With regard to the BHK's decision to nominate the Minister of Healthcare Hovhannes Kushkyan for the city mayor, Hrayr Tovmasyan says it is in line with the working legislation. Hovhannes Kushkyan is not forced to resign office during the campaign, at the same time he shouldn't abuse his position.
