YEREVAN.- Candidate of the Republican Party of Armenia has not arrived for the debates of the candidates in the eight electoral district.

Independent candidate Gagik Petrosyan also ignored the meeting in one of Yerevan’s hotels.

Candidate from the opposition Armenian National Congress bloc Vahagn Khachatryan and ARF Dashnaktsutyun Arthur Yeghiazaryan were present.

“They have noting to say, that is why the candidate is absent,” Khachatryan said speaking about the Republican Party.

Eight political parties and one block have presented their nominations – Republican Party of Armenian, Prosperous Armenia Party, Orinats Yerkir, opposition Armenian National Congress, opposition Heritage Party, ARF Dashnaktsutyun, the Communist Party of Armenia, Democratic Party of Armenia and United Armenians Party.

For entering the National Assembly, parties must poll over 5% of votes, while blocks - over 7%.

The election campaign will be held till May 5 - the day prior to elections when campaigning is banned. The parliamentary elections will be held from 8 am to 8 pm on May 6, 2012.

Photo by Sona Barseghyan