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DECISION 2013: THOUSANDS RALLY IN YEREVAN TO BACK HOVANNISIAN'S CLAIMED ELECTION VICTORY
http://armenianow.com/news/43766/armenia_presidential_election_2013_raffi_hovannisi an_rally
NEWS | 20.02.13 | 21:15
NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
The official runner-up in Armenia's presidential election, Raffi
Hovannisian, who has already declared himself to be president-elect,
again gathered his supporters in Yerevan's Liberty Square on Wednesday
to declare his determination to wage a "lengthy" struggle.
The opposition Heritage party leader told thousands of his activists
and supporters that he will remain in the square until 2 pm Thursday
waiting for President Serzh Sargsyan, the official winner of the Monday
vote, whose ruling Republican Party is expected to hold a rally in
the same venue tomorrow. Hovannisian said such a meeting would be
"for the organization of the transfer of power".
Enlarge Photo
Enlarge Photo Nikol Pashinyan "This time we will have a real victory
that will belong to our people," stated the opposition leader,
who polled about 37 percent of the vote, according to the official
results of the presidential ballot announced by the Central Election
Commission on Tuesday, in contrast to Sargsyan's nearly 59 percent.
"Serzh Sargsyan has made a reservation for this square for tomorrow.
We will remain here and will meet him here. If he wants, we will have
a question-and-answer session, if he wants, we will have a debate. We
must stay here till the victory of Armenia," stressed Hovannisian.
According to media reports, Sargsyan's Republican Party already now
considers cancelling its event in the square scheduled for Thursday
in view of Hovannisian's statements.
Earlier today, a Sargsyan spokesman responded to Hovannisian's previous
offer of a meeting saying that the current head of state was ready
to receive him "at any time" convenient to him to discuss what he
described as "not quite clear demands" of the opposition challenger.
Meanwhile, joining Hovannisian in Liberty Square tonight were also
a number of opposition figures and civil activists who delivered
speeches at the rally. Among them was also Nikol Pashinyan, an
outspoken oppositionist affiliated with the Armenian National Congress
(ANC), who delivered a passionate speech, calling Hovannisian the
"elected president". He said that the elections were again rigged in
Armenia, like they were in February 2008. He also stressed that what
"this February brings" to Armenia will largely depend on Hovannisian
and his team.
"There is no leading the bright people of Armenia to disappointment,
they need victory and nothing else. Let's wish Raffi Hovannisian enough
will and wisdom to lead the citizens of Armenia towards a victory,"
said Pushinyan.
The Heritage party leader again urged all political parties and the
"non-partisan majority" to join him. Two major opposition forces, the
ANC and Dashnaktsutyun, have already issued statements condemning fraud
in the February 18 elections, but they said nothing about their support
to Hovannisian. Hrant Bagratyan, the other opposition candidate who
finished a distant third in the election, was not present in Liberty
Square either.
http://armenianow.com/news/43766/armenia_presidential_election_2013_raffi_hovannisi an_rally
NEWS | 20.02.13 | 21:15
NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow
By SIRANUYSH GEVORGYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
The official runner-up in Armenia's presidential election, Raffi
Hovannisian, who has already declared himself to be president-elect,
again gathered his supporters in Yerevan's Liberty Square on Wednesday
to declare his determination to wage a "lengthy" struggle.
The opposition Heritage party leader told thousands of his activists
and supporters that he will remain in the square until 2 pm Thursday
waiting for President Serzh Sargsyan, the official winner of the Monday
vote, whose ruling Republican Party is expected to hold a rally in
the same venue tomorrow. Hovannisian said such a meeting would be
"for the organization of the transfer of power".
Enlarge Photo
Enlarge Photo Nikol Pashinyan "This time we will have a real victory
that will belong to our people," stated the opposition leader,
who polled about 37 percent of the vote, according to the official
results of the presidential ballot announced by the Central Election
Commission on Tuesday, in contrast to Sargsyan's nearly 59 percent.
"Serzh Sargsyan has made a reservation for this square for tomorrow.
We will remain here and will meet him here. If he wants, we will have
a question-and-answer session, if he wants, we will have a debate. We
must stay here till the victory of Armenia," stressed Hovannisian.
According to media reports, Sargsyan's Republican Party already now
considers cancelling its event in the square scheduled for Thursday
in view of Hovannisian's statements.
Earlier today, a Sargsyan spokesman responded to Hovannisian's previous
offer of a meeting saying that the current head of state was ready
to receive him "at any time" convenient to him to discuss what he
described as "not quite clear demands" of the opposition challenger.
Meanwhile, joining Hovannisian in Liberty Square tonight were also
a number of opposition figures and civil activists who delivered
speeches at the rally. Among them was also Nikol Pashinyan, an
outspoken oppositionist affiliated with the Armenian National Congress
(ANC), who delivered a passionate speech, calling Hovannisian the
"elected president". He said that the elections were again rigged in
Armenia, like they were in February 2008. He also stressed that what
"this February brings" to Armenia will largely depend on Hovannisian
and his team.
"There is no leading the bright people of Armenia to disappointment,
they need victory and nothing else. Let's wish Raffi Hovannisian enough
will and wisdom to lead the citizens of Armenia towards a victory,"
said Pushinyan.
The Heritage party leader again urged all political parties and the
"non-partisan majority" to join him. Two major opposition forces, the
ANC and Dashnaktsutyun, have already issued statements condemning fraud
in the February 18 elections, but they said nothing about their support
to Hovannisian. Hrant Bagratyan, the other opposition candidate who
finished a distant third in the election, was not present in Liberty
Square either.