Early Local Elections Possible in Vanadzor: 'Hraparak'

Early local elections may take place in Vanadzor. This is reported by the daily newspaper 'Hraparak'.

For a considerable time, city council meetings have not been held in Vanadzor, and there are accumulated issues in the city that can only be resolved through council decisions.

"Mamikon Aslanyan's draft-side partner, who ensured the quorum, and the city mayor from the 'Civil Contract' party, Arkadi Peleshyan, approved the community budget, but since that meeting, he has not been attending the sessions, thus new elections are necessary," the paper writes, adding that legal avenues are currently being explored to resolve this matter.

The issue of re-amalgamating Vanadzor with the region of Pambak is also being discussed, which would trigger new elections.

It is worth noting that on December 5, 2021, the 'Mamikon Aslanyan' alliance received the highest votes in Vanadzor, with 12,814 voters (45%) casting their ballots in its favor. The first session of the elected council and the election of the community leader were supposed to take place on December 17, but the day before, the former mayor of Vanadzor, Mamikon Aslanyan, who was the first candidate of the alliance, was arrested and subsequently detained.

Charges have been brought against him for abuse of official powers, transfer of official powers, and elements of official forgery. Mamikon Aslanyan denies the charges against him, and his lawyers assert that he is being subjected to political persecution.