Election of Talin Mayor Conducted in Violation of the Law: 'Zartonk'

The 'Zartonk' National Christian Party asserts that the election of Talin community mayor was conducted in violation of the law, condemning the actions of the authorities and drawing the attention of international organizations to the issue. This statement was released by the party's press secretary, Andranik Margaryan.

On December 7, 2021, representatives from 'Zartonk', including Mnatsakan Mnatsakanian, from the 'Hayk' Liberal Party, Karen Grigoryan, and from the 'Mer Hamainq' coalition, Tigran Harutyunyan, issued a statement declaring that Zartonk, Hayk, and Mer Hamainq would nominate and support a representative from Hayk for the position of Talin community mayor.

During this period, the authorities, who have adopted the interests of the 'Civil Contract' party, exercised pressure on party teams through police and other interventions. This led to the situation where, today, December 17, during the election of the Talin community mayor, the selected members of the 'Civil Contract' party did not form a faction, violating Article 66 of the Law on Local Self-Government.

Furthermore, the individual who topped the 'Civil Contract' election list was nominated for the mayoral candidacy without a faction nomination, whereas according to part 4 of Article 142.2 of the RA Electoral Code, only a faction can nominate a candidate for mayor.

Six members of the 'Zartonk' faction, two members of the 'Mer Hamainq' faction, and two out of three from the 'Hayk' faction voted in favor of the 'Hayk' faction candidate, accumulating 10 votes out of a total of 21.

Karen Grigoryan, who topped the 'Hayk' faction's electoral list and signed a cooperation agreement, went against his word and his colleagues by voting for the 'Civil Contract' party’s candidate.

The 'Zartonk' National Christian Party condemns the actions of the authorities and calls on international organizations to pay attention to this corrupt phenomenon.

The 'Zartonk' National Christian Party thanks its faction members in 'Zartonk', members of 'Mer Hamainq', and those members of the 'Hayk' faction who did not betray their principles,” the statement reads.