Illegal Candidate?

Nazarian says according to the electoral code, the prime minister, Serge Sargsyan, is campaigning illegally. In a comment on this site, the blogger says that there are provisions for the prime minister as acting president to run in the election, but that it is not the case with Sargsyan as he explains on his blog.

Interestingly, the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission (EOM) only has this to say on the matter.

Among others, civil servants, high State officials and persons occupying “political or discretionary positions” may register as candidates. On 7 January 2008, the CEC issued an official clarification on the categories of persons who are required to take a leave of absence when registered as a presidential candidate (under Articles 22.1 and 78 of the Election Code) whereby persons defined under law as ‘civil servants’ are obliged to take leave from their official duties, whereas persons in ‘political and discretionary positions’ need not.

However, no candidate shall make use of the advantages of their official position, and the right to access state property for campaigning is the same for all candidates. High State officials retain the right to receive protection and security accorded to them in their official capacity. Serzh Sargsyan, the Prime Minister, is continuing with his official duties as well as standing for election.

Photo: © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2008