YEREVAN. – In line with the number of voters that have already decided on who they will vote for in Armenia’s presidential election to be held on February 18, the ruling Republican Party’s presidential candidate—and incumbent President—Serzh Sargsyan will receive a maximum 72 percent of the votes, opposition Heritage Party Chairman Raffi Hovannisian, will garner 20 percent, and opposition Freedom Party Chairman Hrant Bagratyan and opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan will receive 3.5 percent apiece. Sociologist Aharon Adibekyan stated this during a press conference on Wednesday.  

In his words, since opposition bloc Armenian National Congress leader—and First President—Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Prosperous Armenia Party Chairman Gagik Tsarukyan decided not to run for president, Raffi Hovannisian is considered as the single presidential candidate of the opposition. As per the sociologist, some of Tsarukyan’s electorate will swing toward Sargsyan, whereas some others, toward Hovannisian; and some votes could even be cast in Bagratyan’s favor.  

Speaking about the presidential candidates that have declared hunger strikes in past and present, Adibekyan noted that the society looks very negatively upon such people, since none of those that have gone on hunger strikes in Armenia have actually died of starvation.  

Also, the sociologist argued that, in theory, there is a chance for a presidential run-off, if Raffi Hovannisian is able to snatch at least a portion of the swing votes; but he added that, at present, there is no likelihood of a run-off.   

Aharon Adibekyan informed that the next public surveys will be conducted on February 1 and 10.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am