Nikol, Raffi and Samvel run in the same constituency
Nikol Pashinyan, a senior representative of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) has issued a statement.
"On Thursday, March 22, I announced my candidature for a national parliamentary seat under the majoritarian system in constituency No 7. The nomination derives from the logic of my activities in the HAK, my prior political activities, the commitments assumed at Yerevan's Liberty Square before the citizens of Armenia. It also derived from our aspiration to have a free and happy Armenia and our determination to fight against the system of slavery."
I believe that the mission of a political figure is not to change something but to create favourable conditions for changes, not to grant freedom but to enable its acquisition for every and each citizen and my nomination is intended to provide a similar alternative.
I do not seek to become an MP; rather I seek to create an opportunity for each CITIZEN to elect an MP. Though this constituency has its representative in parliament, voters do not have their ‘delegate' for a deputy is someone who reflects citizens' will and their rights.
A few hours ago MP Samvel Alexanyan, known as Lfik Samo, re-nominated in constituency No 7. During the past five years of his activity as an MP, Mr Alexanyan has never made a speech in parliament or addressed any question to the executive body. During the reporting period, the National Assembly held 2164 voting, with Alexanyan being absent from 1642 (76%). In other cases he mostly voted for the bills though it is still unknown whether it was he who pressed the button.
The victory in this constituency where the Kocharyan-Sargsyan clan built a stronghold is not only a political but also a civic duty for me. That will be a victory of an Armenian citizen, a victory of Liberty.
P.S.
I prepared this speech after I was nominated in constituency No 7 and I decided to publicise it after the Central Election Commission issued the list of nominees. Great was my surprise when I learnt that Raffi Hovhannisian (Leader of the opposition Heritage party) was running in the same constituency with me. I went to the CEC to submit the documents for nomination at 4:50 p.m. and left it at about 5:00 p.m. I did not find Raffi Hovannisian's name among the candidates. I was even more surprised to learn about the self-nomination of the Heritage leader. The information became available through the media and not by the party's press service of the CEC."
