Opposition claims victory in local elections in Armenia

The turnout in local elections in Armenia was 32.23%, the CEC of Armenia informed. The "Arush Arushanyan" bloc, according to preliminary data, won in all communities [in Goris], said the bloc's representative Irina Yolyan.

On October 14, voting took place for local elections in six communities of Shirak, Syunik, and Tavush regions of Armenia, including the elections of mayors of Gyumri and Dilijan, and in the communities of Aragatotsn, Armavir, and Lori. Observers noted the use of administrative resources in the elections, recorded cases of organised transportation of voters to polling stations by supporters of the ruling party and violation of the requirements for visual campaigning.

On October 17, the police detained Harutyun Sinanyan, candidate for membership in the Goris Council of Elders from the "Arush Arushanyan" bloc, who, at the request of an elderly neighbour, helped her reach the polling station. According to the head of the police, Sinanyan was not brought into custody, but only invited to the polling station and asked not to commit such acts until the end of the voting period, said the candidate's lawyer. In Goris, the police are conducting a search at the headquarters of the opposition bloc "Arush Arushanyan" in connection with the criminal case of Arush Arushanyan's father, suspected of distributing pre-election bribes, the lawyer said. Arushanyan's associates considered the security officials’ actions to have been city council deputies’ use of administrative resources.

According to preliminary data, Arush Arushanyan is the absolute leader in all communities, Irina Yolyan claimed.

“We also have data from the Goris polling stations, where he is also an absolute leader - 50% or more. I want to thank the residents of Goris for their trust. They trusted our team and saw our work over the past 4 years, regardless of political persecution and false criminal cases," she added.

Arush Arushanyan is one of the board members of the Reviving Armenia party. On December 21, 2020, residents of the Syunik region blocked the road to prevent the arrival of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. On the same day, Arushayan (then mayor of Gorisa) was detained after he called on members of the public to block Pashinyan’s arrival. However, on December 22, 2020, the court ruled that his arrest was unfounded. On July 7, Arushanyan, who is also a deputy, was again detained and arrested in the case of bribery of voters. On September 10, the court extended his detention and on October 13, the Court of Appeal rejected the defence motion on the release of Arushanyan on bail.

Other officials, supporters of the Hayastan bloc, were also detained on suspicion of bribery of voters in the Syunik region: head of the Vorotan community Suren Ohanjanyan, head of the Kajaran community Manvel Paramazyan, and head of the Karahunj village Lusine Avetyan. The vice-mayors of Goris Menua Hovsepyan and Irina Yolyan were arrested in the case of embezzlement of a large sum of money and Hovsepyan was also charged with using his official position in the election campaign.

Civil Contract won in three areas

According to the press secretary for Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's "Civil Contract" party, MP Vahagn Aleksanyan, the party's candidates won in three areas.

Thus, Artur Matevosyan, a member of the "Civil Contract" won the Tatev community with 1281 votes. David Gulunts, a fellow party member, won in the Tekh village with 1530 votes, and David Sargsyan won in Dilijan.

Elections to local self-government bodies were held in nine communities of Armenia on October 17.

The voter turnout following the election results in 9 communities of Armenia was 55410 or 33.23%.