- Title: ARMENIA: Vote counting starts in Armenian presidential poll
- Date: 18th February 2013
- Summary: YEREVAN, ARMENIA (FEBRUARY 18, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) ELECTION OFFICIAL CARRYING BALLOT BOX TO DESK ELECTION OFFICIAL TAKING OFF SEAL FROM BALLOT BOX VARIOUS ELECTION OFFICIAL TAKING OUT BALLOTS FROM BALLOT BOX AND GIVING THEM TO OTHER ELECTION OFFICIALS TO COUNT BALLOT PAPER VARIOUS BALLOT PAPERS YEREVAN, ARMENIA (FEBRUARY 18, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS SERZH SARKSYAN'S REPUBLICAN PARTY HEADQUARTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PRESS SECRETARY OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, EDWARD SHARMAZANOV, SAYING: "Today's vote showed that we are on the right pass, that we are going in the right direction. The election campaign was competitive, open. Today the voting showed that, and in the opinion of our partners from Europe, CIS, our international observers, the election and election campaign were democratic. As far as exit polls are concerned, I think that the fact that, according to exit polls, our President have got almost twice as many votes than the candidate who is in the second place, shows that he is the only favourite in this election race." REPUBLICAN PARTY HEADQUARTERS
- Embargoed: 5th March 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Armenia
- Country: Armenia
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA4RBGVB7XNNTT6BZSIBXRFVWKX
- Story Text: Armenian election officials start counting vote after polling stations close in the South Caucasus state.
Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan will secure a new five-year term in a election on Monday (February 19), an exit poll showed after a vote overshadowed by a lack of serious opposition and an attempt to kill a minor candidate.
The exit poll by Baltic Surveys/The Gallup Organization, reported by Armenian television, put Sarksyan on 58 percent of votes cast. His nearest rival, U.S.-born Raffi Hovannisian, trailed on 32 percent.
"Today's vote showed that we are on the right pass, that we are going in the right direction. The election campaign was competitive, open. Today the voting showed that, and in the opinion of our partners from Europe, CIS, our international observers, the election and election campaign were democratic. As far as exit polls are concerned, I think that the fact that, according to exit polls, our President have got almost two twice as many votes than the candidate who is in the second place, shows that he is the only favourite in this election race," said press secretary of Serzh Sarksyan's Republican Party, Edward Sharmazanov.
Sarksyan, 58, has vowed to sustain economic recovery in his landlocked South Caucasus country and said before the vote he would ensure stability after years of war and upheaval.
The continued peace of a region where pipelines take Caspian oil and natural gas to Europe is a concern for foreign investors and neighbours, especially as relations are fraught with fellow former Soviet republic Azerbaijan.
The exit poll was carried out among 19,130 voters at 122 polling stations.
Sarksyan will also hope the election secures the approval of international observers.
The last presidential election, in 2008, was marred by clashes in which 10 people were killed, but there were no immediate reports of violence on Monday.
Sarksyan's message has resonated with many voters in the country of 3.2 million, where more than 30 percent of the population live below the poverty line, the average monthly salary is about $300 and unemployment was 16 percent in 2012.
But with none of Sarksyan's serious opposition rivals choosing to stand, election observers expressed concerns over the democratic credentials of the vote.
Officials from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) reported apathy and lack of confidence in the electoral process among the public when they visited the country in January.
Security concerns were underlined by an attack on one of the candidates, Paruyr Hayrikyan, 63, an outsider in the election who was shot in the shoulder on Jan. 31.
Another dark horse in the race, Andrias Ghukasyan, went on hunger strike at the start of the campaign to press for Sarksyan's candidacy to be annulled and for international observers to boycott the vote.
A third candidate, Arman Melikyan, had said he would not vote because he believes the election would be skewed in Sarksyan's favour. Other potential rivals said they chose not to take part in the race for similar reasons.
Results are expected to be clear within 24 hours. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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