YEREVAN. – Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan cast his ballot during Sunday’s National assembly elections. He was accompanied by his wife and two granddaughters. 

“Let me put on my glasses, so I would not vote for the wrong man,” Kocharyan said while entering the voting booth.  

Afterward, and in response to the news reporters’ question as to what he voted for, Kocharyan said : “I will have to say general things.” 

Kocharyan said he removed his glasses and voted normally. But, regretfully, he has no right to say who he voted for. “I voted for the programs,” he responded. 

And to the query on the likelihood of his return to politics, Robert Kocharyan answered with a question: “And do you want [me to return]?”

Eight political parties and one block are running in the elections. They are the Republican Party of Armenia, 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 garner over 5 percent of the votes, while blocks, over 7 percent.