8 candidates to run for President

The Central Election Commission has registered 8 presidential candidates of the 15 aspirants, CEC Chairman Tigran Mukuchian stated at the commission’s extraordinary sitting today. The remaining candidates did not submit their receipts about electoral pledge payment within 48 hours.
The registered candidates are: Armenian President, Chairman of Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) Serzh Sargsyan, former Prime Minister of Armenia, Chairman of Freedom Party Hrant Bagratian, Chairman of Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian, Chairman of National Accord Party Aram Harutyunian, leader of National Self-Determination Union (AIM) Party Paruyr Hayrikian, former Foreign Minister of the NKR Arman Melikian, epos expert Vardan Sedrakian, and political scientist Andreas Ghukasian.
Robert Aharonian’s application for withdrawal of his candidacy was examined at the sitting.

“CEC decided to comply with Robert Aharonian’s request and return his nomination documents to him,” T. Mukuchian said.
R. Aharonian expressed hope that prior to the next election, CEC will not add a provision to the Constitution, by which all voters will have to pay a sum in order to vote in elections.
Let us remind you that a few days ago Aharonian declared he would drop out of the race because he considers it “baseless to spend so much money to compete with the Republican Party”.

The presidential election will be held on 18 February 2013.