The day of silence that has been announced on the day before elections has gotten old, and that demand does not serve its purpose. People on the internet are not preparing to withdraw, focus, and gather their thoughts to decide whom they will vote for. Just as all the information typically sounds in one’s ear, it is sounding today too. It is unnecessary to get in the way of propaganda and anti-propaganda. But Aravot, as it has been acceptable to say, is a “classical” news site and is subject to this archaic law.
If I was asked about what was lacking during these campaigns, I wouldn’t have given the typical answer of plans, ideas, effective debates, or constructive criticism. Those do not exist in such situations in any country. There is no state in the world whose citizens are governed by reason and arguments during elections. The majority of voters are governed by emotions, personal bias, myths, charisma, and more. This psychology has not changed over the course of four thousand years. When the magician strikes his tambourines, people, overcome with emotion, start to dance their traditional dance.
What I found lacking in these campaigns was the lack of joint statements made by the participating forces. It is accepted that prior to the campaigns, they take on the same responsibility that the election fight will be honest and correct. Of course, this promise is often broken, but it is a statement aimed towards voters that yes, we are arguing, but that doesn’t mean we’re enemies with one another.
But besides that joint statement, I would also like for it to be acceptable to continue with their campaigns and on the day of silence, come forth with their joint statement. They can say something like this: “Fellow compatriots, the campaigns have ended, and during these campaigns, we heard a lot of criticism and mutual accusations. We ask one another and all of you for forgiveness if any of the things said during the campaigns offended anyone and their human dignity. We forgive one another for making such statements. Armenia has and will always be a wonderful country, regardless of how many votes we receive or even if we will end up in parliament at all, and regardless of its political regimes and the quality of its authorities.”
It’s clear that the political forces and politicians do not agree with such a statement.
Aram Abrahamyan
