Pre-election atmosphere in Nagorny Karabakh becomes hot

Elections for local government are set in Nagorny Karabakh for August 8. The pre-election atmosphere is becoming hot both in the districts and in the capital, Stepanakert. 5 people are nominated for the post of Stepanakert Mayor. But experts believe three candidates will be the main rivals. They are Amik Avanesian, the present mayor, Eduard Agabekian, a deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Nagorny Karabakh, and Pavel Nadzharian, a board member of the pro-government Democratic Artsakh Union.

Government officials take part in Pavel Nadzharian's election campaign as well. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun together with other organizations works to support Eduard Agabekian. Amik Avanesian acts as a private person.

Spirits in the Karabakh society vary from extremely negative to positive ones. Some people in Stepanakert are going to vote against all the candidates and explain it by saying that for the post-war years, no mayor has been able to solve the problem of supplying water and heating in the town. Others support the candidate nominated by the government, due the efforts of which no signs of war remain in Stepanakert and the town looks well.

The most symptomatic is that representatives of the pro-government organization are not confident of their victory and think results of the elections can be surprising. In the experts' opinion, it is the best evidence that the voice of people will prevail nevertheless and the elections will not be rigged.