YEREVAN.- The election day, international observers’ assessment and active media coverage proved Armenia held the best elections ever, Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Major progress has been registered, he said, adding that Serzh Sargsyan won as a result of democratic elections.

“Armenia’s leadership managed to take two important steps: ensure holding of democratic elections and get 58.50% of votes,” said Sharmazanov, who is also spokesperson for ruling Republican Party of Armenia.  

Deputy Speaker congratulated runner-up Raffi Hovannisian and other candidates on free and democratic elections.

“Our citizens proved they are free. We proved pluralism is ensured. The citizen of Armenia is the main winner in the elections,” he emphasized.

Asked about Raffi Hovannisian’s rally in the Liberty Square, Sharmazanov said it is his right to do so. Hovannisian got more votes than during parliamentary elections, he stressed.

Preliminary results issued by Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission showed incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan received 58.64%, while his closest rival Raffi Hovannisian -36.74. The voter turnout reached 1, 521, 931.