Yesterday ARP member Khachik Manukyan, who was elected under the majoritarian system in Precinct 15 (Talin and surrounding village communities), applied to CEC to drop his mandate. According to CEC chairman Gagik Azaryan, Manukyan does not explain his decision in any manner. It is worth mentioning that there have been many rallies and protests in the mentioned precinct since the official publication of the outcome of the elections. Furthermore, the advocates of Talin mayor Mnatsakan Mnatsakanyan, who lost the elections by a difference of only a few votes, have been organizing rallies near the building of the Central Electoral Commission since May 17, demanding to re-count the votes. To note, on May 18 Mnatsakanyan took back his application of protest, yet only after that Manukyan decided to refuse his mandate. We tried to ask for the reasons, but he didn’t answer our calls. Indeed there are rumors that Manukyan was suggested to drop his mandate so as not to make too much noise, and was promised a position in the executive body. The CEC will declare soon when new elections will be organized in Precinct 15.
