Nagorno-Karabakh presidential election, 2007
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The third presidential election in the unrecognized country of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was held on 19 July 2007.[1] The incumbent Arkady Ghukasyan was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term and had endorsed Bako Sahakyan, who was the head of the National Security Service. Sahakyan was backed by the ruling Democratic Party of Artsakh, by two opposition parties, and by the current Armenian leadership. There was an approximately 80% turnout in the polls.[2]
His main challenger was considered to be Deputy Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan. Parliament deputy Armen Abgaryan, Communist Party of Artsakh leader Hrant Melkumyan, and Vanya Avanesyan, a professor at Artsakh State University, were also candidates.[3]
Results
According to preliminary official results, turnout was 77.36% and Sahakyan won with 85.4% of the votes. Mayilyan won 12.2%, and none of the other three candidates polled more than 1.5%.[4]
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Bako Sahakyan | 59,326 | 85.12 |
| Masis Mayilyan | 8,734 | 12.53 |
| Armen Abgaryan | 867 | 1.24 |
| Hrant Melkumyan | 554 | 0.79 |
| Vanya Avanesyan | 212 | 0.30 |
| Total valid (turnout 77.39%) | 69,693 | 100.00 |
| Invalid | 1,594 | — |
| Total | 71,286 | — |
| Source: NKR Central Election Commission | ||
Sahakyan was sworn in on 7 September 2007.[5]
International reaction
Numerous international organizations such as the UN, the EU, NATO, the Council of Europe, the OSCE did not recognize the legitimacy of the presidential election in Nagorno-Karabakh.[6] The Presidency of the European Union stated that despite their position, the elections "should not have any impact on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Furthermore, the EU recalls that refugees and internally-displaced persons should be given the right to a safe, secure and dignified return of their homes in order to fully participate in electoral acts."[7]
Similarly, the chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers stated that it "reiterates its full support to the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairmen in their efforts towards a settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. It notes with concern that conducting such “elections”, thus pre-empting the outcome of the ongoing negotiations, cannot contribute to the resolution of the conflict. It calls on all parties concerned to intensify their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, in accordance with the commitment undertaken by Armenia and Azerbaijan upon accession to the Council of Europe."[8]
References
- ↑ Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Nagorno-Karabakh: Region Gears Up For Presidential Election
- ↑ Armenia Welcomes Presidential Elections in Nagorno-Karabakh. Central Electoral Commission of the NKR. Accessed 17 July 2009.
- ↑ Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Nagorno-Karabakh: Who Will Be The Next President?
- ↑ Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Former Security Chief Wins Nagorno-Karabakh Vote.
- ↑ H.E. Bako Sahakian, President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh. The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States. Accessed 17 July 2009.
- ↑ Freedom in the World 2008 - Nagorno-Karabakh. UNHCR. Accessed 17 July 2009.
- ↑ Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on "presidential elections" in Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 July 2007
- ↑ Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers: Declaration on the “presidential elections” to be held in Nagorno Karabakh on 19 July 2007
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