Aravot

Article: I will consider the change in the coalition format as normal (21.04.09)
Author (interviewer): Anna Israelyan        
An interview with Republican Party member Armen Ashotyan addressed the possibility of reshaping the coalition after Yerevan municipality elections. Commenting on the ARF party candidate Artsvik Minasyan’s statement about the ARF’s possible withdrawal from the coalition in case of numerous violations during the election, Ashotyan suggested that the ARF party is using a campaign method of representing itself as an “opposition inside the government” to win votes, and takes it normal the possibility of change in the composition of the coalition.

 Hayastani Harapetutyun

Article: Parliamentary government system in Yerevan (21.04.09)
Author: Arman Gasparyan     
According to the author, the current status of Yerevan is in contradiction with the laws of Republic of Armenia on municipalities. Because of overlapping jurisdictions between the elected district leaders of Yerevan and the politically appointed Mayor, there are inefficiencies and redundancies in the city administration. The new legislation and the upcoming elections are thought to correct the situation. The city council members would be granted the authority to work effectively and there will be a clear oversight by the Armenian Government to prevent the excessive and unlawful use of their authorities. As the author of the “Law on Yerevan” Hrayr Tovmasyan notes, the new law on Yerevan, together with the system of proportional elections of the city council members and the indirect method of election of the Mayor provide a Parliament-like administration of Yerevan.
 
Hayastani Harapetutyun

Article: Find your name in voter’s lists (24.04.09)
The preliminary voter’s lists are already posted in polling stations and the electronic versions are sent to chairmen of electoral commissions.
The newspaper reports that by January 1, 2009 the number of registered voters was 763783, 4 months later the number increased by 4274 voters. It is reported that the lists consist of 768057 votes.
Norayr Muradkhanyan, visa and registration office head, explained the increase referring to Electoral Code. according to which voting right have also those citizens who reside temporarily or permanently in a given community but have no registration. He also added that those citizens who would not find their names in lists can apply to restore their voting right.
The final voter’s list will be posted 2 day prior to Election Day.

Hayastani Harapetutyun

Article: Constitutional Court made a decision (29.04.09)
One of the articles of the Armenian Electoral Code (article 10, point 3) stipulates that the heads of local governments in the country are to be elected by citizens who have resided in a particular community for at least one year.
Despite this restriction, Central Election Commission (CEC) allowed last month district administrations and police departments in Yerevan to include all city residents on the vote registers to be used in the May 31 elections of a new municipal assembly. The CEC based the decision on another Electoral Code article that sets no minimum residency requirements for Yerevan voters.
Armenian National Congress (HAK) denounced the decision, saying that the clause invoked by the CEC is unconstitutional. The HAK asked the Constitutional Court to declare it null and void in an appeal lodged earlier this month.
The court decided late on to “temporarily suspend” the clause (Article 10, point 3) pending the consideration of the opposition appeal. It said it expects to deliver a verdict on the suit by May 8.

Hayastani Harapetutyun

Article: “Levon Ter-Petrosyan rating is lower than Gagik Beglaryans” thinks Aharon Adibekyan (29.04.09)
According to recent survey conducted on 18-19 April in all Yerevan communities, 26.6% of 1650 respondents considers Gagik Beglaryan (RP candidate) the best candidate for mayor’s position, while 7.6% are for Levon Ter-Petrosyan (“HAK” candidate), 5.7% are for Harutyun Kushkyan (Prosperous Armenia candidate). Aharon Adibekyan thinks that Armenian National Congress (HAK) tries to politicize the upcoming elections and added that HAK could have more chances to get more votes if Ararat Zurabyan led the party list.
He also said that according to survey results citizens are not aware of party lists, moreover who leads them. According to survey 8 respondents out of 10 knows Republican Party candidate, 6 Prosperous Armenia candidate and only 5 out of 10 know HAK candidate. He believes that the situation will change after the start of the official campaign.