9 CANDIDATES TO PARTICIPATE IN ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS FEBRUARY 19

9 candidates will participate in the forthcoming presidential elections in Armenia February 19. The yesterday’s sitting of the central electoral commission of Armenia approved the candidates for participating in the presidential elections. These are acting Armenian president Robert Kocharian, leader of “United Armenians” party Ruben Avagian, head of “Socialist Armenia” union Garnik Margarian, leader of “National Accord” party Aram Harutyunian, chairman of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram Sargsian, chairman of “National Unification” party Artashes Geghamian, leader of the People Party of Armenia Stepan Demirchian, chief of “Perspective” center for strategic initiatives Aram Karapetian and leader of the National-Democratic Union Vazgen Manukian. Thus, only Armenian communist leader Vladimir Darbinian, who withdrew candidacy in favor of Artashes Geghamian February 5, and leader of “Hanrapetutyun” party Aram Sargsian, who declared withdrawing candidacy in favor of Stepan Demirchian February 8, exercised their right to refusal.