“I SHALL VOTE FOR NO ONE”

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“I shall vote for no one,” say residents of Kanaker-Zeytun district. A1+ wondered what expectations they have from the upcoming election to self-government body scheduled for September 7.

“What can we expect from a new district head? Have the previous ones make any changes? I shall not even go to the vote,” said 42-year-old Sveta.

“We are displeased with the acting and former district heads. All yards in the district have turned into dumps. Paruyr Sevak’s bust was to be erected in the park while today the park is full of stones and garbage,” says Grandpa Nikolai.

Nikolai’s neighbour Henrik is content with the acting district head Arayik Kotanjian. “Surely, there are still many problems to be solved. But, to tell the truth, Mr. Kotanjian started from nothing,” he said. He wants the next district head to asphalt the streets and reconstruct building entrances.

Some respondents say they will vote for Manuel Gasparian out of respect to his deceased father Manuk Gasparian, Leader of the Democratic Way Party (ZhUK).

“Manuk was a decent person. It is a pity he died so early. I am sure his son took after him and is as honest as his father was,” said 54-year-old Grisha.

Most residents of Kanaker-Zeytun sounded indifferent to local elections to district head and Alderman.

“These elections will hardly differ from the presidential one,” they say. There were many who declined to answer our questions saying “they are not interested in politics.”

“No matter who the next district head is he will not care for us. My parents take a good care of me,” said 20-year-old Hasmik.

26-year-old Arshak confesses he will vote for the candidate who will bribe residents. “I hope some of them will give me money. I have heard that the candidates have offered bribes to voters.”

Three candidates stand for the election - the acting district head Republican Arayik Kotanjian, ZhUK member Manuel Gasparian and non-partisan Varujan Mkrtchian.