YEREVAN. – Polling stations opened in Yerevan, where the residents of the capital city of Armenia have to make their political choice.

Extraordinary elections to the Council of Elders of Yerevan were appointed after Mayor Taron Margaryan resigned under the pressure of the new authorities.

Former ruling Republican Party of Armenia is not participating in the elections. Overall, 65 people will be elected to the Council of Elders of Yerevan. The political force, which will receive 40% of the mandates will have an absolute majority of seats and will appoint a new mayor of the capital city. Potential candidates for mayor of Yerevan are those who are heading the proportional lists of parties and blocs participating in the elections.

Twelve political forces are running in the elections: Prosperous Armenia party (number one in the list is Naira Zohrabyan, Yerevan Community bloc (Anahit Tarkhanyan, Yerevan Residents bloc (Ararat Zurabyan), Yerkir Tsirani party (Zaruhi Postanjyan), Heritage party (Raffi Hovannisian), Democratic Way party (Manuel Gasparyan) , My Step bloc (Hayk Marutyan), Luys bloc (Artak Zeynalyan), ARF Dashnaktsutyun (Mikael Manukyan), Hayk party (Gevorg Hovsepyan), Reformists party (Artak Avetyan), Orinats Yerkir party (Mher Shahgeldyan).

The polling stations will close at 8pm Yerevan time with the first results coming after midnight.