YEREVAN. – I do not think the forthcoming presidential election will become legitimate even if the lists are publicized. Presidential candidate, National Accord party Chairman Aram Harutyunyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am, reflecting on presidential contenders—opposition Freedom Party Chairman, former PM—Hrant Bagratyan’s—opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman—Paruyr Hayrikyan’s, and—opposition Heritage Party Chairman, former FM—Raffi Hovannisian’s joint statement that was released Monday and with a demand from the authorities to publicize the lists of the citizens of Armenia that are absent from the country. 

Harutyunyan stressed that since he believes the upcoming vote is already illegitimate, things such as the aforesaid lists are solely details. 

“It is an imitation to find out later that this election was not held well because the lists were not publicized; that is not so. Nothing will change by the publicizing of the lists,” he said.  

In the presidential candidate’s view, this matter has a global significance. If pressure was applied on some political forces even before the nominations and approximately half of the population does not have a nominated candidate, this means there were obstructions and, in this sense, the upcoming presidential vote is already illegitimate.  

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am