Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), or Artsakh, presidential hopeful Vitali Balasanyan voted in NKR’s Askeran Region on Thursday morning. And he told news reporters that he cast his ballot for Karabakh’s future, and noted that the key issue is creating a strong and united Armenia. 

“If I win the elections, I will be the president of all Artsakh people, and I will not persecute those who persecuted me at the time,” said Balasanyan. 

To note, three non-party affiliate candidates are running in Thursday’s presidential elections. They are: Incumbent NKR President Bako Sahakyan, Deputy Director Arkadi Soghomonyan of Academic Activities at the NKR capital Stepanakert Branch of State Agrarian University of Armenia, and NKR National Assembly MP Vitali Balasanyan.

NKR’s previous presidential elections were held on July 19, 2007, and serving President Bako Sahakyan was elected Head of State. According to official figures, he had received 85.12 percent of the total votes.