Marukyan warns falsified vote would strip new government of legitimacy

Opposition leader Edmon Marukyan warned that any manipulation of the election results would strip the new government of legitimacy as Armenians headed to the polls for parliamentary elections on Sunday.

Marukyan, the Bright Armenia party’s candidate for prime minister, said he was encouraged by the turnout. “I don’t remember such long lines. Political forces have managed to mobilize the people and bring them to the polling stations,” he told reporters after casting his ballot.

Asked how his party would respond if the integrity of the vote were questioned, Marukyan said. “If we record that the elections have been rigged, it will be declared that an illegitimate government has been formed,” he said.

Despite the warning, Marukyan struck an optimistic note, urging citizens to continue participating in the elections. “I am hopeful it will not come to that. We call on the people to go to the polls,” he added.