YEREVAN — Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract Party secured victories in most of the country’s local elections held on October 25, according to preliminary results released by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC).
Elections took place in 21 communities across Armenia, with Civil Contract winning in 16 communities independently and in two others as part of an electoral alliance.
However, the ruling party failed to secure first place in Stepanavan, where the Business Party received the largest share of the vote.
According to preliminary CEC figures, the Business Party, led by incumbent Mayor Armen Grigoryan, received 41.54 percent of the vote, or 5,506 ballots. Civil Contract followed with 35.32 percent, or 4,681 votes, while the opposition Strong Armenia Party secured 19.68 percent, or 2,609 votes. The Republic Party received 3.41 percent.
Based on the preliminary results, the 21-member Stepanavan municipal council will be divided among three political forces: the Business Party with nine seats, Civil Contract with eight, and Strong Armenia with four.
Although incumbent Mayor Armen Grigoryan is a member of Civil Contract, he contested the election on the Business Party’s electoral list.
Elsewhere, Civil Contract recorded decisive victories in several major communities, receiving 85.95 percent of the vote in Artashat, 90.82 percent in Hrazdan, 86.12 percent in Ijevan, 84.56 percent in Tsaghkadzor, 76.27 percent in Dilijan, 74.79 percent in Artik, 71.83 percent in Meghri, and 67.61 percent in Martuni.
In the Goris community of Syunik Province, the Solidarity Alliance, led by incumbent Mayor Arush Arushanyan and comprising Civil Contract and the Business Party, received 93.57 percent of the vote.
The same alliance also won in Gavar, securing 81.71 percent.
A considerably closer contest unfolded in Yeghegnadzor, where Civil Contract received 48.06 percent of the vote, or 7,382 ballots, narrowly defeating the Republic Party, which secured 46.86 percent, or 7,197 votes. The margin between the two parties was just 185 votes.
In five communities—Armavir, Vardenis, Garni, Akhuryan, and Vayk—the ruling party ran unopposed, with only one political force participating in the elections.
According to CEC data, voter turnout was highest in Stepanavan at 68.83 percent, while Fioletovo recorded the lowest participation rate at 25.39 percent.
