The New York Times. The role of presidential elections of Armenia in the context of international policy

Maintaining stability in Armenia has become increasingly important for United States in constructing relations with Iran. As reports Armenpress, this was noted by outstanding The New York Times daily. The NYT has referred to presidential elections in Armenia and highlighted the way they might influence the USA policy implemented in the region.

“Armenia has supported the measures over Iran, while continuing to engage in permissible economic activity, such as swapping electricity for natural gas from Iran with no money changing hands,” NYT comments.

It is noted that Serzh Sargsyan faced relatively weak competition after his two strongest potential challengers and their parties announced last year that they would not compete in the election — former President Levon Ter-Petrossian of the Armenian National Congress and Gagik Tsarukyan of the Prosperous Armenia Party.

“But while Mr. Sargysan’s victory has been predicted for months, there have been some unexpected developments in the campaign. One challenger, Andreas Ghukasyan, a political commentator who manages a radio station in the capital Yerevan, has been on a hunger-strike demanding that Mr. Sargsyan be removed from the ballot.

Another challenger, Paruir A. Airikyan, was shot in the shoulder in late January in what the authorities described as an assassination attempt, although there was no known motive. Mr. Airikyan is a former Soviet dissident who promoted Armenian independence and has run unsuccessfully for president several times previously,” the daily writes.

This is already the sixth time the Armenian citizens participate in presidential elections. 1988 polling stations of 41 electoral districts are already close. The total number of the voters included in the voters' register of the Republic of Armenia is 2.505.980 by February 17.

There were seven candidates running for president in the Republic of Armenia. The names of the presidential candidates are introduced in the alphabetical order in the ballots. They are as follows: Hrant Bagratyan, Paruyr Hayrikyan, Raffi Hovhannisian, Andrias Ghukasyan, Arman Melikyan, Serzh Sargsyan, Vardan Sedrakyan.

632 observers of 12 international organizations and 6251 observers of 26 local organizations are conducting observation mission.