Pre-election poll: Who does it give hope?
Gallup International Association Armenia representation has conducted a research on topic “Parliamentary election 2017: Preliminary figures of political parties and alliances”. Aram Navasardyan, Director of Gallup International Association Armenia presented the survey results.
Accordingly, in response to a question if parliamentary election would be held in the upcoming Sunday, which party or party alliance you will vote in favor with the proportional list, the citizens answered in the following way: “Tsarukyan” alliance -26.4%, Republican Party of Armenia -22.8%, “Yelk” alliance – 4.3%, ARF – 3.9%, Free democrats party – 3.4%, Armenian Revival party – 2.7%, “Armenian National Congress – People’s Party of Armenia” alliance – 2.6%, “Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanyan” alliance – 1.8%, Communist party of Armenia – 1%. 1146 citizens participated in the survey.
Only “Tsarukyan” alliance rep agreed with the poll results. Mikael Melkumyan, candidate for the MP, PAP MP, told 168.am, that survey results are close to the reality. “Regarding veracity, I consider, it’s OK,” Melkumyan said, stressing the index of those non-oriented.
To the observation, that 14.1% out of 1146 citizens refused to answer, M.Melkumyan stated that figure may have an effect on general poll results, and they’ll be grounded only in case of identifying the number of those not oriented. In his words during the campaign other results may be recorded 10 days later, “In our case that figure has grounds, I see them. As for the others, it’s a subject for discussion out of the number of non-oriented voters.”
According to Vahagn Khachatryan, candidate for ANC-PPA alliance, any poll in Armenia isn’t trustworthy. “Polls in the Republic of Armenia are always specific despite representative of which political power is commenting on the polls. That very organization launched polls during previous elections as well, however, not everything can be clarified by such polls as a result of moods, atmosphere,” he said.
According to V.Khachatryan, the campaign is just starting, “An attempt should be made to eliminate existent uncertainties, all participants may have issues, maybe besides RPA and a bit PAP, first, as a leading power, and the other linked to Tsarukyan’s factor. We are distinguished with our slogan and our approaches in present-day Republic of Armenia regarding overcoming the situation. People should be able to realize, get convinced what intentions and ideas the political powers have.”
Armen Martirosyan, member of Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian alliance, “Heritage” party vice-president, categorically refused poll results. “It’s the same as in presidential elections of Raffi Hovhannisyan, when he was to get 5% of poll results. And the result will be visible on April 3,” Martirosyan said.
According to him such a figure doesn’t exist, and real number, naturally, will be changed during the campaign, as until now exclusively PR was functioning, “As media outlets are under control and that black PR has left a certain impact, I can’t deny it. As currently we’ll have the opportunity to have our say, TV will be somewhat open, the snapshot will be quite different.”
Vahram Baghdasaryan, candidate nominated by the preferential list, RPA faction head, replied to the question of 168.am how RPA concedes “Tsarukyan” alliance, with a question: what day is it today? He urged to follow results of the upcoming days on 10, 16, 26. To the observation that RPA currently also insists that it’s the leader, V.Baghdasaryan replied, “These are results by Gallup, on the whole, everything that is new, is seductive, and the old should do its more experienced job. The campaign is ahead, and it seems to me that it will settle everything.”
Asked whether Baghdasaryan means “Tsarukyan” alliance by saying “new”, the RPA MP said they’re “renewed old”.
By Gayane Khachatryan
