YEREVAN. – The Armenian coalition government’s junior partner, Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law) Party (RLP), congratulated the three political forces that won Sunday’s capital city Yerevan Council of Elders election.  

“The large-scale distribution of election bribes, [and] the neighborhood ‘notables’’ active actions, which created a climate of fear, left their mark on the elections.

“Nonetheless, considering the elections an established fact, Orinats Yerkir Party thanks the Yerevan residents who voted in its favor,” the RLP press service statement reads in particular.           

To note, the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) on Monday issued the preliminary results of Sunday’s voting. In line with this outcome, the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, the non-pro-government Prosperous Armenia Party, and the opposition “Barev, [Hello] Yerevan” bloc will comprise the new Council of Elders of Yerevan.

Opposition Armenian National Congress Party, opposition ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party, coalition government’s Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law) Party, and Arakelutyun (Mission) Party, on the other hand, did not pass the 6-percent threshold for the parties to become members in the Yerevan Council of Elders.  

The CEC will issue the final election results on May 12.