YEREVAN. - Armenia’s Minister of Transport and Communication Manuk Vardanyan, running for parliament in No. 25 electoral district from the ruling coalition member Orinats Yerkir Party withdrew his candidacy.

Ruling coalition member Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) candidate Davit Kocharyan, off-parliament opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) member Sasun Mikaelyan, and independent candidate Hovsep Galstyan and Mushegh Harutyunyan will continue the struggle for the MP seat.

Eight political parties and one block have presented their nominations – Republican Party of Armenian, Prosperous Armenia Party, Orinats Yerkir, opposition Armenian National Congress, opposition Heritage Party, ARF Dashnaktsutyun, the Communist Party of Armenia, Democratic Party of Armenia and United Armenians Party.

For entering the National Assembly, parties must poll over 5% of votes, while blocks - over 7%.

The election campaign will be held till May 5 - the day prior to elections when campaigning is banned. The parliamentary elections will be held from 8 am to 8 pm on May 6, 2012.