YEREVAN. - The most desirable option for the presidential candidate Hrant Bagratyan is to follow the requirements of the Constitution, his representative Karine Harutyunyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am, talking about the possible delay of the election day for two weeks or appointment of new elections.
“Our position is as follows: if the Constitution requires postponing the Election Day for two weeks, we respect the fundamental law of our country. We will talk about new elections later, when the two weeks pass,” she said.
In response to the question, what is the best option for them, Harutyunyan once again noted that it is advisable to adhere to the Constitution.
As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, an assassination attempt was made against presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan, on Thursday at around 11:20pm in downtown Yerevan, in front of his home. Hayrikyan was shot and hospitalized with a gunshot wound . He underwent a successful surgery Friday morning, and a bullet—which was located in the soft tissues of his right elbow shoulder—was removed. A criminal case is opened in connection with the assassination attempt against Paruyr Hayrikyan. It is launched on charges of carrying out an assassination attempt against a statesman, political or public figure, which—that is, the attempt—is carried out to end this person’s noted activities. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for 12-20 years, or life in prison. The National Security Service is conducting the investigation.
In connection with the murder attempt on a presidential candidate the elections can be postponed.
Incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, former prime minister and leader of "Freedom" party Hrant Bagratyan, former Prime Minister, leader of "Heritage" party Raffi Hovannisian, famous dissident in the Soviet period, the head of the party "National self-determination union" Paruyr Hayrikyan, former Foreign Minister of Nagorno Karabakh Arman Melikyan, political scientist, head of “Radio Hay” Andreas Ghukasyan, epos scientist Vartan Sedrakyan, leader of "National Accord" party Aram Harutyunyan are running for the presidency.
