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Presidential Candidate: "Elections Were Free But Not Fair"

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  • Presidential Candidate: "Elections Were Free But Not Fair"

    PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: "ELECTIONS WERE FREE BUT NOT FAIR"

    http://www.a1plus.am/en/politics/2012/07/20/vitaly-balasanyan
    02:04 pm | Today | Politics

    Vitaly Balasanyan, a Karabakh national hero who participated in
    the July 19 presidential elections in Nagorno-Kharabakh Republic
    (NKR), has issued a statement congratulating the Kharabakh people
    on political awakening demonstrated during the election campaign and
    the Thursday vote.

    "We have proved the whole world that the people of Artsakh are ready
    to determine their future. The number of people who cast ballots for
    me shows that many are displeased with the countries policies and
    are eager to see urgent changes.

    In an open letter addressed to the incumbent president on July 15 I
    expressed my concerns about the procedure degrading the elections. I
    was ready to congratulate the candidate who won in free and fair
    elections, but I can only confine myself to admitting the election
    results with some reservations.

    The elections proved that at least one third of our population
    disagrees with the policies pursued and is demanding reforms. The
    authorities are obliged to revise their policies and they will do
    that following our demand.

    The incumbent president and his team did not manage to ensure free and
    fair elections in the country. The elections were free but not fair.

    People in different regions were subjected to pressure on the
    voting day, with the administrative levers being used to ensure the
    re-election of the incumbent president.

    The greatest pressure was exerted in the regions of Kashatagh and
    Shahumyan. I consider the votes received in such conditions to be
    a good result which lays a serious foundation for launching a new
    political institution.

    As its primary objective, the institution will seek to protect the
    rights of our citizens. I will always stand by people whose rights
    are being infringed.

    I express my gratitude to all those who cast their ballots in my
    favour. Under such circumstances it required a certain degree of
    brevity on your part. I also welcome all those who voted for the
    other candidates with clear conscience. I thank all media outlets
    and observers who provided and unbiased coverage of the Thursday
    vote. I thank everyone for supporting me during the elections,"
    said the candidate.

    Three candidates were running in the July 19 presidential elections in
    the NKR. Incumbent President Bako Sahakyan was re-elected, according
    to the country's Central Electoral Commission.

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