YEREVAN. – If Armenia’s presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan—who is recovering at hospital from a gunshot wound—says a lot rides on him for the first time in his life, I would like for him to take advantage of this opportunity and to petition to the Constitutional Court (CC) for holding a new presidential election. Fellow presidential contender, National Accord party Chairman Aram Harutyunyan stated this during a press conference on Monday.     

“If we link Hayrikyan’s first mission to the independence [of Armenia], the second [mission of Hayrikyan] will be the postponement of the presidential vote; this will give us time to comprehend what is happening. Perhaps the state was unprepared for holding the election. In addition, [the ruling Republican Party presidential candidate, incumbent President] Serzh Sargsyan’s term in office will expire [by then] and, in terms of competition, it is very important that one of the candidates is not the serving president,” Harutyunyan said.    

To note, Paruyr Hayrikyan—who sustained a gunshot wound as a result of an assassination attempt—had informed that he will decide on Tuesday as to whether or not he will apply to CC with a formal request to postpone the forthcoming presidential election, which is slated for February 18, for two weeks. 

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am