YEREVAN. – The prefects of Armenia’s several villages are violating the precept of secret ballot during Monday’s presidential election, opposition Heritage Party Press Secretary Hovsep Khurshudyan told news reporters.  

He informed that they have received such reports from Karadzor and Chochkan villages in Lori Region, Nazrvan and Ohanavan villages in Aragatsotn village, Akhpradzor village in Gegharkunik Region, and Zovuni village in Kotayk Region.    

The village heads did not leave the election precincts in all these cases; they accompanied the voters to the voting booths, and markedly forced them to vote for ruling Republican Party candidate and incumbent President, Serzh Sargsyan.

According to the reports, election bribes were distributed to the voters in the aforesaid villages on Sunday. The electoral commissions, however, refuse to record the violations.  

“Disregarding the request of our proxies, the village prefects are not leaving the precincts,” Khurshudyan said.  

But no violence or threat was reported toward Heritage’s proxies.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am