YEREVAN. – In line with the Armenian Central Electoral Commission data, during the presidential election on February 18, President Serzh Sargsyan received 100 or 99 percent of the votes in 576 precincts, and such data are solely characteristic of the Soviet era. Ex-presidential candidate, political scientist Andreas Ghukasyan stated this Tuesday at the Constitutional Court session, during which his and fellow former presidential contender—opposition Heritage Party leader, former FM—Raffi Hovannisian’s petitions are deliberated on.

In his words, such results cannot be reliable and offer a hope that the election results were not rigged.  

Ghukasyan added that, ahead of the election, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) initial report noted that the boundary between the government and the ruling party is removed, and that the presidential election was its proof.  

The ex-presidential hopeful also noted that the authorities are attempting to present the opposition as dross.

In addition, Andreas Ghukasyan demanded that the recent presidential vote be declared null and void, and a new election be conducted.    

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am