Adibekian: Dwarf candidates’ nomination is consequence of childishness

“A presidential candidate should have a charismatic face, a team, and the skills to keep that team,” Head of Sociometer Center Aharon Adibekian said at a meeting with reporters today.

In his words, some candidates in this presidential election have proposed their candidacies without having any idea what an electoral process and an election are, and so both the electoral process and the election have turned into a “search for a black cat in a dark room” for them.

“Aram Harutyunian ran in the 2003 presidential election and collected 1,300 votes. Only a very optimistic person with high self-esteem would run in an election again after receiving such a small number of notes.

The nomination of dwarf candidates is a consequence of childishness, ignorance, or an illness when the person believes he can become the nation’s savior. An election is not a lift, a step to be overcome. People have no idea what an electoral process is and who the voters are so that they can move in that direction,” the sociologist said.

Adibekian mentioned Serzh Sargsyan and Raffi Hovannisian (a representative of the moderate opposition) as serious candidates, as well as Hrant Bagratian who will receive votes of supporters of Armenian National Congress (HAK) and Armenian National Movement (HHSh). Adibekian said Paruyr Hayrikian is likely to have some rating thanks to the fact he has been engraved in people’s memories.

Adibekian believes that a run-off is theoretically possible, and Serzh Sargsyan’s defeat in a run-off is possible, but in order to achieve this, one has to have abilities and a great army of advocates.

Adibekian is annoyed at Paruyr Hayrikian who said that sociological surveys pursue propaganda goals. “This political figure knows nothing about election particulars, he does not know what to say, what to wear. Dwarf candidates have neither money nor any idea in order to set up a PR group, for that reason they call it a propaganda group”.