Artsakh Republic to elect new president and parliament on March 31

On March 31 Artsakh will hold parliamentary and presidential elections. The pre-election campaign launched on February 26 and lasted till March 29.

Ten parties, two blocs will fight for 33 mandates.

The 6 out of participating parties were founded during the past two years and are participating in the elections for the first time. The two blocs – Free Homeland and New Artsakh – contain newly created parties too.

For the first time the parliamentary elections will be conducted in proportional system only.

Fourteen candidates will fight for presidential post. Six of them – Sergey Amiryan, Kristin Balayan, Eduard Dadayan, Bella Lalayan, Masis Mayilyan and Melsik Poghosyan – are self-nominated.

For the first time women candidates are running for presidential post.

Candidates nominated by parties are – Davit Babayan, nominated by Artsakh Conservative Party, Vahan Badasyan, nominated by United Armenia party, Vitaly Balasanyan nominated by Justice party, Davit Ishkhanyan, nominated by ARF, Ruslan Israelyan, nominated by Generation of Independence, Hayk Khanumyan, nominated by National Revival party, Ashot Ghulyan, nominated by Democratic party and Arayik Harutyunyan, nominated by Free Homeland bloc.

United Homeland party and New Artsakh bloc stated about supporting Masis Mayilyan’s candidacy at the presidential elections.

Two candidates – Vitaly Balasanyan and Masis Mayilyan – are participating in the elections for the second time.

Masis Mayilyan ran for the elections in 2007 and received 12,5% of votes. Vitaly Balasanyan ran for the elections in 2012 and received 32,5% of votes. In both times they defeated to incumbent president Bako Sahakyan.

The Central Election Commission reports that there are 103,506 eligible voters in Artsakh.

According to average statistics, the election turnout in Artsakh makes about 77,8%.

Last presidential elections in Artsakh took place about 8 years ago which is agreed with 2017 constitutional referendum.

The new Constitution set a transition period until 2020. The president for that period of time was elected by the parliament in closed voting.

As to the situation regarding coronavirus, Artsakh authorities have undertaken all the necessary preventive-protection measures to avoid spread of the virus in Artsakh. During the elections the people in polling stations will be provided face masks, disinfecting substances. Each voter will be provided separate pen for voting.

On the voting day all the medical institutions in Artsakh will work for 24 hours.

Thirty-seven mass media with 197 representatives from Artsakh, Armenia and abroad accredited for covering the elections.

Fifteen observing organizations with 904 observers submitted applications to implement observing mission.