Ruling party has no chance to win Gyumri elections without fraud, opposition candidate says

Martun Grigoryan, an MP from the opposition Pativ Unem faction, has expressed concerns over possible electoral fraud in Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city.

Earlier last week, Grigoryan announced his decision to run in the snap municipal elections in Gyumri scheduled for March 30.

In an interview with Irakanum on Sunday, Grigoryan stressed the need for strict oversight, citing issues with voter lists and other electoral processes.

“There are specific concerns regarding the voter lists and other matters. Naturally, we will be closely monitoring the process to prevent any irregularities,” the opposition candidate said.

Grigoryan stated that electoral fraud is typically orchestrated by the authorities, while it is the opposition’s duty to prevent it.

“If the authorities fail to manipulate the elections, something that is already widely discussed, they have no chance of winning in Gyumri,” he stated.

Grigoryan also dismissed allegations that Armenia’s third president and the leader of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Serzh Sargsyan, backed his candidacy.

“It's not true. In fact, Serzh Sargsyan is largely opposed to participation in the elections. I have never been a member of the Republican Party, I'm non-partisan. In the parliamentary elections, my candidacy was put forward by the Homeland Party, which had formed an alliance with the RPA. I have nothing to be ashamed of regarding my track record,” he asserted.