41 electoral districts formed

1,988 polling stations have already been set up in 41 electoral districts in order to hold the presidential election in Armenia on February 18, 2013, the website of Armenia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) says.

More than 450 polling stations were set up in 13 electoral districts of Yerevan, about 140 polling stations in Aragatsotn province, about 150 in Ararat province, 170 in Armavir province, and about 150 in Gegharkunik province. The number of polling stations in other provinces is as follows: about 130 – in Kotayk, 220 in Lori, 220 in Shirak, about 150 in Syunik, 53 in Vayots Dzor, and about a hundred in Tavush.

January 4 was the deadline for the nomination of candidates who submitted applications for running in the February 18 presidential election. The registration stage started on the same day. 15 candidates submitted applications for running in the election. On December 27, the documents of the leader of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan were submitted to the Central Election Commission.

Among those who intended to engage in the electoral struggle were also President of the National Karate Kobudo Federation Taron Abrahamian, attorney of the European Court of Human Rights, member of Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) Ruben Aivazian, Chairman of Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian, President of Kashatagh NGO Robert Simonian, the leader of Freedom Party Hrant Bagratian, lecturer of Yerevan State Pedagogical Universiry after Abovian Ms. Narine Mkrtchian, political advisor to Refugees and International Law NGO Arman Melikian, pensioner Pavlik Sargsyan, and nonaffiliated person Robert Aharonian who is currently unemployed.

In addition, among those who have submitted the required documents for registration at CEC are President of Radio Hay LLC Andreas Ghukasian, unaffiliated person Mher Hayrapetian, Chairman of National Self-Determination Union (NSDU) Party Paruyr Hayrikian, unaffiliated person, epos expert Vardan Sedrakian, and leader of National Accord Party Aram Harutyunian.

Nevertheless, only 7 candidates, namely Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Chairman of Freedom Party Hrant Bagratian, NSDU Chairman Paruyr Hayrikian, former Foreign Minister of the NKR Arman Melikian, the leader of Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian, epos expert Vardan Sedrakian, and political scientist Andreas Ghukasian have paid an electoral pledge of 8 million AMD.

The period of registration of nominated candidates is from January 4 to January 14. The election campaign will start on January 21 and end on February 16. The deadline for withdrawal applications is February 8, 6.00 pm. Electronic voting will start on February 9, at 8.00 am (Yerevan time) and finish on February 13, 8.00 pm. Voting will start on February 18, at 8.00 am and finish at 8.00 pm. The results of the presidential election will be summarized on 25 February, 2013.
The CEC has reaffirmed its readiness to hold a free, fair, and transparent presidential election.