Letter from Armenia: Election time in Yerevan

Election time in Armenia, love it or hate it. True, it’s always tragic with not one candidate or party from either the opposition or government able to offer anything of any real note to the electorate, but it is nonetheless a fascinating spectacle to observe. Well, at least until the shit hits the fan with supporters of one party beating another, police harassing opposition supporters, or on election day itself when virtually all the candidates will claim outright victory while every sane person considers that 30 percent support from a largely weary electorate is pretty much 30 percent more than they actually deserve.

Still, the population gets something at least. Roads and backyards are suddenly asphalted (but don’t dare to suggest that the party rally scheduled in the same area a few hours later is more than coincidental), free concerts are staged by those with the money, i.e. the two main ruling parties, and if you’re really lucky you might get to make up to $15 for selling your vote to the highest bidder. There are more conscientious voters, of course. Committed and dedicated, they’ll at least go through the motions of campaigning while preparing for the “victory rally” the day after polling in the hope that a huge surge of support for the opposition will finally materialize. Of course, it never happens, or certainly nothing close to the critical mass they need.

Asphalting a few hours before Prosperous Armenia pre-election campaign rally, Komitas, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2009

The media doesn’t help either, with few publications — if any — able to report on the real state of democracy in Armenia. Either in blatant terms or more subtly, each pushes its own preferred candidate and agenda while at least the blogs, as unreliable in terms of the accuracy of information they spread, are at least more open in their bias. Yes, election time in Armenia. It’s when all the outstanding problems obstructing the country’s development come to the fore. From a corrupt and authoritarian government to a predictably manipulative and politically expedient opposition, it’s hard to see any real future until an alternative voice or two emerges.

But, it is at least something to see — unless, that is, a situation such as after last year’s presidential election, during which 10 people died, occurs again.

This time it’s different, of course. It’s not a presidential or parliamentary election, but something even less interesting. It’s a local election, and specifically one to determine the mayor of the capital for the first time in 15 years. Well, it could actually be quite significant indeed, with the power associated with such a position in the economic and political heart of the country being quite considerable indeed. For now, however, there’s not much sign of residents seeing it quite like that with two opinion polls, both of which hardly likely to be reliable, putting anticipated turnout on 31 May at 36.5 and 53.8 percent.

Levon Ter-Petrossian pre-election campaign rally, Komitas, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2009

Of course, this being Armenia, both also differ widely in their results. One suggests the main government candidate, the incumbent Gagik Beglarian, will win with 55 percent, and the other says that the extra-parliamentary opposition led by the former president, Levon Ter-Petrossian, leads the pack with 37.2 percent. In that second poll, Beglarian’s ruling Republican party has just 14.72 percent. Does anyone know which is more accurate? Of course not, but my money would be on considering the second as probably more accurate than the first. Indeed, if any party manages to achieve a majority on the city council, which will then determine the mayor, it will be surprising.

Gagik Beglarian, Republican Party (HHK) municipal election rally, Yerevan, Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2009

Well, maybe. A lovely provision in the law on the the municipal election gifts as many seats necessary for one party to take the majority if it gains more than 40 percent. Probably, unless the ruling Republican party is planning to bribe the residents on an unprecedented scale, they government might yet be regretting that amendment introduced in the bill’s second reading earlier this year. Still, there are always the Precinct, Territorial and Central Election Commissions to manipulate the results if really necessary, but as things stand, it’s hard to see anything other than a hung council with political deals being made to solicit support for one party’s candidate over another.

That is, if the election was truly democratic, which it probably won’t be — surprise, surprise. Still, The Caucasian Knot has to go through the motions, photographing any rallies it stumbles upon. The extra-parliamentary opposition rallies have been covered before, so on Monday it was the turn of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation — Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) in the Arabkir district. Having recently stormed out of the coalition government in a huff over progress in normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations, and conveniently a week before the election campaign began, the party has made a fundamental mistake so far in its campaign.

Apparently out of touch with the reality of Armenia, it seems the ARF-D actually tried to woo voters with — shock, horror, who would have thunk it? — policies.

ARF-D municipal election rally, Yerevan, Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2009

Artsvik Minasian, ARF-D municipal election rally, Yerevan, Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2009

In Armenia, that’s a dumb move. Instead, they should have followed the example of the extra-parliamentary opposition, perhaps. Spread paranoia and fears among the electorate that the government is about to sell out the Genocide or Karabakh in order to appease its international puppet masters or green men on Mars, that should do the trick. It’s only a municipal election, after all. Yet, despite being the one party that arguably has the right to use such arguments in its rhetoric, it didn’t. Instead, during its rally in Komitas at least, Turkey was mentioned only twice, while Karabakh was mentioned once.

The rest of the time was spent talking about the environment, the state of the roads, or why socialist-leaning mayors are generally better for cities than not. Fair play to them, really. The Caucasian Knot commends their position and approach. It’s just that, well, the electorate doesn’t quite think in such terms. Give voters an orator who can scare the crap out them about the country’s impending collapse or play on their inherent nationalist and xenophobic fears and you’re set. The politically active part of the population can understand that.

And for the masses which simply don’t give a damn, it’s even easier. Put on a show, no matter how mediocre or crass.

By all means, plant a tree or two and publish a manifesto of sorts, even if you have no intention of following through on any of your campaign promises, but perhaps also consider the example of Prosperous Armenia or the Republican Party in appealing to voters or perhaps simply to cover the later falsification which will secure their victory. Hell, who needs actual policies when you can do that and give the punters this?

Glad they kept those attending barricaded away from the stage. Looks like they were about to go wild…

Ah, now the need for barricades is clear… they’re in case the a warrior kid or two goes on a blood frenzy and starts slashing a potential electorate or breaking their necks with a few high-kicks…

Never mind, bring on the dancing girls. Can’t beat pogoing dancers in traditional costumes, especially when both they and The Caucasian Knot were so bored that in between dances, flirting was the only way to take minds off the absurdity of a Republican Party election campaign rally.

Incidentally, The Caucasian Knot would like to apologize to supporters of any of the political parties contesting the 31 May municipal election for mayor in Yerevan for its negative and somewhat cynical approach to this important vote. However, after observing three parliamentary and two presidential elections as well as a referendum to amend the constitution, it considers this to be the most appropriate position to take. Please feel free to hurl abuse and insults in the comments section below.

Meanwhile, The Caucasian Knot will instead hope that a real policy of civic education in schools is introduced, with real transparency and accountability also implemented elsewhere in civil society, before it’s too late.

Republican Party (HHK) municipal election rally, Yerevan, Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2009