On January 28, the holiday celebrating the founding of the National Army of Armenia in 1992, three presidential candidates running in next month’s election have issued a joint statement calling on all citizens of the country to cast their ballots, arguing that only persistent work and active struggle will be able to change the current situation in Armenia.

In their statement, Hrant Bagratyan, Paruyr Hayrikian and Raffi Hovannisian, decalred that on the eve of the February 18 presidential election, the people have not been able to create a country in which the rule of law, global standards of democracy, and national values reign supreme.

“Forming a government of the people, through elections, has remained a much desired dream of our society,” reads the statement.

Based on this reality, the three candidates are calling for a list of citizens who reside outside of Armenia and who have been deprived of their constitutional right to vote. The propose that a list of all citizens during the past year who have resided outside the country for more than 180 days be posted separately at election precincts, so as to prevent double voting.

The three also demand that all candidates, including President Sargsyan, refrain from employing administrative resources at their disposal in the election process.

“The creation of an environment of fear must be ruled out, especially the disgraceful technique of pressuring civil servants,” the statement reads.

The candidates say that they will regard any   electoral falsification or proof of such violations as an unconstitutional act.

Photo (l to r): Hayrikian, Hovannisian, Bagratyan