Dismissal of the Mayor of Vanadzor is Demanded
00:00, March 19, 2007 | Local Democracy, Support for civil iniciatives
Six citizens of Vanadzor wanted to impeach the mayor of Vanadzor. In February, citizens who are dissatisfied with the work of Samvel Darbinyan, mayor of Vanadzor formed an initiative group and decided to hold a referendum on impeaching the mayor of Vanadzor. Before realizing their intention on March 14th, the group submitted an application for registration to the commission of regional commission #30.
Within 15 days the commission will decide whether or not register the group. If the group is rejected it can apply to the court. But if the group is registered, the commission will give a certificate of holding referendum and official papers for collecting signatures /at least 5% of the general number of voters/. Afterwards, avagani (city counselors) should appoint a day for the referendum. On that day citizens of Vanadzor will say “yes” or “no” to the following question: “Are you for the submission of a proposal to Lori governor by avagani on the dismissal of Samvel Darbinyan, the mayor of Vanadzor?” Then local referendum will be held. The validity of results will be decided by the regional commission. If more than half of the voters say “yes” and everything is correct the regional commission will inform about the results to the avagani. It will inform the Lori region governor to apply to the prime minister for making a resolution on dismissing the mayor.
But today, the press conference, initiated by Arthur Sakunts, the authorized representative of the group, and several members did not take place. No journalist came though almost all the means of republican and local media had been informed. Manvel Mikoyan, the editor of the newspaper “Loru Marz,” explained their absence by lack of journalists and existence of many events during the day.