“Hraparak” Daily: Elections to NA Neither “Alternative” and Nor Without Incidents

Elections to the National Assembly were not “alternative” and didn’t proceed without incidents. The nickname of one of the candidates, “Muk” was written on a ballot and in front of it, it was written “against.” Later the daily found out that four such ballots were declared invalid. The elections of the deputy-spokesman were not without incidents either. Besides the fact that the elected spokesman becomes the first deputy, it has another advantage as well. In case of resignation of the NA Chair the first deputy automatically becomes the NA Chair. As far as Eduard Sharmazanov is considered the President’s protégée it was more than clear that he will be appointed as the first deputy. Hovik Abrahamyan, as a supporter of gender policy, conducted lobbying for Hermine Naghdalyan before the elections. Without counting the votes RPA representatives stated that the votes were equal and the lobbyists tried to find out what was going on. However, according to the statement of the counting commission it became clear that the process was under control and Sharmazanov was elected first deputy with all the “consequences.”