ARF-D supported candidate Robert Kocharian elected President of Armenia with 60 percent of vote

YEREVAN (Combined Sources) — Prime Minister and Acting President Robert Kocharian emerged as the victor in Armenia’s run-off presidential elections on Monday, March 30, defeating his opponent, Soviet-era Communist party boss Karen Demirjian, by a 20 percent margin.

According to the final returns, out of the country's 2,300,816 eligible voters, 1,567,702 (68.14%) people went to the polls in the March 30 second round. Demirjian received 618,764 (40.51%) votes, Kocharian 908,613 (59.49%).

The vote was being closely watched in the West because of the impact of the result on Armenia’s decade-long conflict with its oil-rich neighbor Azerbaijan over Karabagh. Early in the day, accusations of fraud began flying from the Demirjian camp, which said that Kocharian’s campaign was rigging the elections. “There are massive violations going on across the country. We are getting more complaints than we can even keep up with,” said Demirjian campaign chief Armen Khachatryan.

Meanwhile, observers James Russell of Harvard University and the famous Russian-Armenian political analyst Telman Gdlian reported that the vote was free and fair. They were joined by many other observers who also gave positive appraisals.

Kocharian press spokesman Aghvan Vartanian dismissed Demirjian’s charges, which he said were designed to discredit the election. “Demirjian’s people are spreading rumors in order to cast a shadow over the election,” he said. He also said there were instances of ballot box stuffing by Demirjian’s supporters. According to Vartanian, “Demirjian’s campaign staff spread false reports on widespread violations and terror, which have not been confirmed. “Similar acts are intended to deliver a blow to the results of the free election and the country’s prestige,” Vartanian maintained.

First round results

Final results of the first round — held on March 16, 1998 — showed that Kocharian led Demirjian 38.76% to 30.67%, but since neither gained a 50% plus one majority, the March 30th run-off ballot was mandated by law.

The third and fourth place parties, the National Democratic Union, and the Communist Party of Armenia issued statements endorsing neither of the two contestants.

Vazgen Manukian criticized both. He said Kocharian represented the same authoritarian forces as those that existed under former President Ter-Petrossian. He added that Demirjian lacked credibility because he had remained silent during the ten years of the Karabagh conflict.

While the leadership of the Communist Party announced its neutrality in the run-off election, observers said the party's enmity towards Demirjian would result in sharper criticism of the former communist leader.

The line-up of party endorsements for Kocharian's candidacy increased when Paruir Hayrikian's Self-Determination Party and the Democratic Party of Armenia — both of which had their own candidates during the first round — joined a group of political organizations, including the ARF-D, to support the Prime Minister.

During his campaign, Robert Kocharian called for the consolidation of political forces to implement Armenia's common goals and programs. He called for the revision of the national constitution reducing the powers of the presidency. Kocharian specifically criticized a president's right to dissolve parliament. He said that right belonged to parliament itself. Kocharian also expressed optimism about Armenia's economic growth. He predicted robust economic expansion in 1998, at a rate between 8% to 10%.

(Please see also Kocharian’s inaugural speach)

Observers deem run-off free, fair

YEREVAN — Local and international election observers noted this week that the March 30 run-off presidential elections were held in accordance with democratic norms and principles, as the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) issued final results of the vote which elected Robert Kocharian as Armenia’s new president.

A delegation of the Russian State Duma, including a representative of the “Regions of Russia” faction, Telman Gdlian, and a representative of the Communist faction, Darya Mitina, visited Echmiadzin, Massis, Ashtarak, Ararat, Sharak and three districts of Yerevan on election day. According to Mitina, no evident violations were observed. She told Noyan Tapan that the kind attitude the two competing sides had displayed toward each other came as a pleasant surprise to her. “We can’t boast in that regard in Russia,” she said, adding that in her country the situation during elections is always tense, full of direct insults, blackmail, and other sordid methods. She gave credit to her Armenian counterparts who had organized the elections. She was confident that no voting violations occurred in regions not visited by her delegation. Mitina reported that her observations were confirmed by representatives of the European Parliament and the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly.

CIS Monitoring Mission

In a statement issued on March 31st, the CIS delegation said: “Based on its own observations, the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Monitoring Mission states that the second round of the presidential elections in Armenia proceeded in accordance with Armenia’s Constitution and the state’s Law on Presidential Elections. The elections were administered in an atmosphere of democracy and with sufficient voter turnout. It is possible to deem the President one elected by the will of the voters. The Monitoring Mission observed a number of voting procedure shortcomings but no voting irregularities during the March 30 elections.”

OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission

In its preliminary statement issued on April 1st, the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission to the Armenian Extraordinary Presidential Election (Second Round) stated that it had “deployed almost 140 international observers to all parts of Armenia. OSCE observers visited over 680 polling stations on election day, over 40% of all polling stations in Armenia. Following the close of the polls, they observed the counting of the votes. Observer teams then followed the results through numerous Community Electoral Commissions and most of the 11 Regional Electoral Commissions.

"Overall, these elections are a step forward from the troubled 1996 elections toward a functioning democracy. However, in some areas, the elections fell short of the commitments Armenia has made to OSCE standards. These shortcomings do not cause us to question their outcome. The election day activities were conducted calmly and in accordance with the law in the vast majority of districts. However, there were irregularities. In several instances, there is sufficient indication of vote fraud to require further investigation and possible criminal charges."

OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission’s statement went on to assert that “the access of candidates to the media in both rounds was significantly improved over 1996. All candidates were given opportunities to present themselves, underpinned by the provision of free and paid time in the state media. Statistical monitoring showed greater overall balance in the second round.” “... The public had sufficient opportunity in both state and private media to view, hear, and read about both candidates.”

“Unlike past elections, the 1998 election saw precinct protocols posted according to law.”

“Foreign Voting - Concerns raised because of proposals for numerous extraterritorial polling stations were resolved by CEC action limiting the creation of polling stations outside embassy and consular representations abroad. This move, which helped to ensure accountability in overseas voting, substantially ameliorated the concerns of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission.”

“In the 1996 election, the machinery of the state was used heavily on behalf of the incumbent candidate in a systematic and abusive way. 1998 stands in marked contrast to this history. While this election is commendable in several respects, further reforms are needed that instruments of state authority are not used to support incumbent candidates in future elections.”

“In light of the compacted election schedule, both for the first and especially the second round, the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) performed professionally. The provision of election results in a smooth and timely manner contributes to a greater trust in the electoral process. Unfortunately, many lower commissions, particularly at the community level, did not always contribute to the efficient operation of the electoral process.”

Council of Europe Monitoring Mission

“The second round of the presidential voting was well-organized: the elections were passed peacefully and in accordance with the law” Lord Russell Johnston, head of Monitoring Mission of the Council of Europe, stated during the April 1st press conference with Armenian media. “There is no doubt concerning the legitimacy of these elections”, Mr. Johnston is quoted as saying.

Mr. Johnston noted that, unfortunately, “a very restricted number” of “serious irregularities" were registered in Yerevan by OSCE monitors. Although these facts, Mr. Johnston pointed out, don't affect the final results of the presidential elections, they ask for further investigation.”

“However these elections are a step forward; These are a step towards Armenia's membership to Council of Europe", Mr. Johnston concluded.

Vladimir Goryayev, UN Political Advisor and UN Secretary General special envoy studying current political developments in Armenia, was received on March 31st by Acting Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian. Goryayev shared his comments and considerations regarding the entire process of the presidential elections in Armenia. He particularly noted that the 1998 presidential elections were much more transparent, fair and democratic than those of 1996.

Self-Determination Union chairman Baruyr Hairikian reported that “the second round of the presidential voting can be considered a long step forward and an unprecedented event in the Armenian history of democracy.”

Chairman of the Communist Party of Armenia Sergei Badalian deemed the run-off elections “normal” and “peaceful.” “Our representatives were engaged in the various Election Committees and they say they observed no voting irregularities,” Badalian said.

Five Armenian parties united to back Kocharian’s presidential bid

Five mostly center-left Armenian parties have joined forces to support Prime Minister and acting President Robert Kocharian in the presidential election. The alliance, named “Justice and Unity” and dominated by the ARF-Dashnak tsuriune and the Yerkrapah union of Karabakh war veterans, said in a statement released on March 4 it will stand behind Kocharian’s efforts to “consolidate the entire Armenian nation,” resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and establish democracy and social justice.

Leaders of the alliance, which also comprises three other small groups, the Scientific Industrial and Civic Union, the Union of Socialist Forces and the Ramkavar Azatakan Party, told reporters it will continue its existence even after the election. They said the new bloc will put a particular emphasis on “guaranteeing every Armenian citizen a worthy and prosperous life.” They denied seeking a number of key government posts in the event of a Kocharian victory.

According to ARF Executive Council of Armenia member representative Vahan Hovanessian, the alliance’s top priority is “to work with people” rather than come to power.

Hovanessian pointed out that it was not only the candidacy of Robert Kocharian that the parties had rallied around, but also the need for resolving a number of vital problems, such as ensuring the security of Artsakh and Armenia and developing their statehood, involving the Armenian Diaspora in solving numerous problems, as well as resolving economic problems. According to Hovanessian, it is also necessary to resolve social justice issues and establish a moral standard in the country.

Hovanessian said that cooperation between his party and the Ramkavar Party (Liberal Democratic Party founded in 1921) in support of Kocharian should not be taken as a surprise, since, despite numerous differences, the two parties still have a common purpose — the Armenian Cause. He mentioned that this similarity alone was enough to unite the two parties under current circumstances. Hovanessian remembered a similar situation during the war in Beirut, Lebanon when both the parties united to defend the Armenian population.

According to Hovanessian, the National Assembly is expected to adopt a new election law in the near future. In addition, substantial changes are foreseen in the judicial system.

ARF delegation meets with president-elect Kocharian

YEREVAN (April 6) — Representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau and the Executive Council of Armenia met with Robert Kocharian to congratulate him on his recent election as the President of the Republic of Armenia.

The ARF representatives stressed that the processes of the elections had taken substantial positive steps toward democracy. ARF Bureau Chairman Peno Tontian assured President-elect Kocharian that the ARF will offer its unsparing efforts to the strengthening of the Armenian state.

"This is a united victory, which in addition to being a victory is also a major responsibility," said President-elect Kocharian, thanking the ARF in its active assistance to its presidential campaign. "We definitely have to be victorious, it is a matter of pride for all of us," President-elect Kocharian stated, emphasizing that each Armenian individual will have the opportunity to participate in his homeland's rebuilding.

All those in attendance deemed important national agreement and unity, as well as an atmosphere of mutual trust, in order to best utilize the nation's potential for Armenia's enhancement.