Opinion: Yerevan Mayor Election

Since parliamentary elections held in 1995, successive governments under three presidents have cynically falsified elections and trampled upon the right of the electorate to choose their own leaders and representatives in both local and national government. Next month, Armenia’s democratic credentials will once again be put to the test.

As part of constitutional amendments passed by referendum in November 2005, residents of the Armenian capital will go to the polls at the end of May to indirectly determine their first elected Mayor in 15 years. Although many might be weary of an election cycle still in play since 2007, there is the potential for change.

Interestingly, this being a municipal election, all residents of Yerevan can participate in the vote — not just citizens — but only if they have been registered at an address for at least one year. Nevertheless, changes to the electoral code governing the election have caused some concern in international circles.

In particular, a clause allowing any party which controls over 40 percent of seats on the city council to be gifted enough to hold an outright majority is ringing alarm bells. True, this might mean that falsification will not be as blatent as in previous elections, but Armenia desperately needs a clean vote.

Or at least by local standards. Many would argue that there is still not culture of democratic thought among the electorate let alone the government or the opposition, but that does not mean there couldn’t be — if properly engaged. The dynamics of local politics in Armenia, however, could prevent that.

Previous presidents had earlier resisted calls to elect the Mayor of a city where at least a third of the country’s population resides fearing the significant economic and political power such an official could potentially wield.

Ostensibly a race between seven candidates, few doubt that the actual battle will be between the candidate of the party of power, Gagik Beglarian (more commonly known as Chorni (Black) Gago) and former president and extra-parliamentary opposition leader, Levon Ter-Petrossian.

Although government supporters claim that the latter failed to win enough support in Yerevan to see street protests following last year’s disputed presidential election reach critical mass, a recent opinion poll shows that he might be able to count on 35 percent support even before the official campaign period begins.

Considering the 40 percent provision in the law on self-governance in Yerevan, such a possibility must already be ringing some alarm bells in the corridors of power, and especially as Beglarian, already conveniently appointed as Mayor last month, is more renowned for his notoriety than benevolent governance.

What remains to be seen, however, is whether the opposition can capitalize on an undercurrent of discontent in the midst of a global economic crisis by tackling real issues in this coming municipal election rather than treat it only as a necessary catalyst to spark a new wave of post-election street protests.

Such an approach would be welcomed. While many among the electorate might remain apathetic to the idea of local elections, let alone lack any faith in the democratic process, there are plenty of outstanding issues to deal with in the capital which directly affect their quality of living.

Despite economic growth, for example, roads remain appalling in most of the city, parks have been taken over by corrupt officials to build cafes at the expense of green areas which has led to increased respiratory problems among residents, garbage piles up for days on end, and most streets remain unlit at night.

Even yesterday’s rainfall led to roads turning into rivers outside apartment buildings, just as they always do each winter when the snow melts. There are also issues regarding incompetent city development, street trading, illegal construction, inefficient public transport, and the number of homeless on the streets.

All candidates and parties should address such issues in their pre-election campaigns in an attempt to engage the electorate. True, few are expecting the vote to be free and fair, but support will be higher for those candidates which at least treat the municipal election seriously, and not simply as a means to an end.

Besides, national concerns such as corruption, environmental damage, incompetent governance and economic mismanagement are encapsulated and most visible in the capital. Now is the time to seriously tackle them.

So, as Yerevan prepares for next month’s vote, The Caucasian Knot will feature comprehensive coverage of the mayoral election, posting original stories, photographs, video and audio reports as well as links to mainstream news and blog coverage utilizing new tools such as Twitter and social media.

Watch this space.