Girls Being Recruited for Participation in CP Campaign Rallies for Money: 'Akanates'

‘Akanates’ observational initiative has published a report on the misuse of administrative resources during the campaign for the Yerevan City Council elections. The report indicates that political parties are utilizing the services of marketing agencies to engage people in rallies and distribute campaign flyers for a fee.

Various announcements for participation in political rallies are spreading across different social networks. Specifically, the advertising technology company Promo host is recruiting girls through its Instagram chat for participation in rallies organized by the ‘Civil Contract’ party in exchange for money. The participating girls are instructed to wear white t-shirts and denim pants, mirroring the appearance of representatives from the ‘Civil Contract’ party during the campaign.

Those interested in participating are required to send a photo to the organizer beforehand for confirmation purposes. Participants are invited to the headquarters of the Civil Contract party located at 40 Sayat Nova, from where the campaign rallies commence. For one hour of participation, the girls are compensated 1000 drams. Payments are transferred electronically to the participants’ bank cards.

The ‘Promo & More’ Facebook group, which has around 3000 members, is also used as a platform for similar announcements. Another marketing agency, City Promotion, is recruiting participants for distributing flyers and waving flags at various campaign events. In a conversation with a representative from the organization, it was clarified that such services are provided for several political parties (the organization refrained from naming them). Again, participants are paid between 1000 to 2000 drams for an hour of work.

Akanates has reported this issue to the Prosecutor General’s Office to determine whether these actions contain elements of criminal offenses under Article 236 of the RA Criminal Code concerning financial incentives for participating in rallies. Akanates possesses several recordings and other materials proving the aforementioned claims. Due to personal data confidentiality concerns, only a portion of these materials are published at this time.