Harutyun Gharagyozyan, a Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) MP, was the first in the 5th convocation of the National Assembly to violate the law and to vote in someone else’s stead, whereas PAP MP Gurgen Arsenyan had demanded guarantees from Hovik Abrahamyan that he would take measures to rule out absentee voting. Today www.aravot.am inquired of Mikayel Melkumyan and Vahe Hovhannisyan, members of the PAP parliamentary group, how they would comment on this step of their teammate. Can one say that the “good old traditions” have been maintained in this convocation of the National Assembly?
According to Mikayel Melkumyan, “Frankly Speaking, I haven’t seen the video, neither have I noticed. Certainly, absentee voting deserves criticism and is not acceptable in any way.” He didn’t agree that these traditions were maintained by the PAP, “No, I don’t agree that they are maintained. I haven’t noticed such a thing in our parliamentary group so far. Once I notice, I will necessarily prevent it.” Vahe Hovhannisyan also assured that he hadn’t noticed that Harutyun Gharagyozyan had voted in someone else’s stead. Neither has he seen the video. In his words, “If there has been such a case, certainly, they should criticize. I haven’t seen, but I must surely criticize. This is both my and – for the record – Gagik Tsarukyan’s opinion. It is certainly unacceptable. It is no kindergarten.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
