ANC, Heritage boycott mandate handing ceremony.

The ceremonial event on handing over parliamentary mandates kicked off in Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC).

The Republican Party members came with its full complement, while the majority of the MPs from the Prosperous Armenia, Rule of Law and Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun did not attend the event. The Armenian National Congress and Heritage MPs were not present at all.

The Rule of Law party was represented only by Karen Botoyan, a single-mandate MP and the ARF-D by Armen Babayan, director of the Grand Candy company.

Part of the PAP MPs headed by Naira Zohrabyan joined the event later. CEC Chairman Tigran Mukuchyan handed Gagik Tsarukyan’s mandate to Naira Zohrabyan.

Ex-foreign minister Vartan Oskanian was also among the present. Speaking to reporters, Zohrabyan said Gagik Tsarukyan will be the head of the party’s parliamentary faction, with her being faction’s secretary.

Galust Sahakyan expressed regret that the opposition did not attend the event.