2007 Nagorno-Karabakh presidential election

Presidential elections were held in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on 19 July 2007.[1] Incumbent president Arkady Ghukasyan was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term and endorsed Bako Sahakyan, who was the head of the National Security Service. Sahakyan was supported by the ruling Democratic Party of Artsakh, two opposition parties and the Armenian government.

Sahakyan's main challenger was considered to be Deputy Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan. Parliament deputy Armen Abgaryan, Communist Party of Artsakh leader Hrant Melkumyan, and Vanya Avanesyan, a professor at Artsakh State University, were also candidates.[2]

Results

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Bako Sahakyan	Independent	59,326	85.12
	Masis Mayilyan	Independent	8,734	12.53
	Armen Abgaryan	Independent	867	1.24
	Hrant Melkumyan	Communist Party	554	0.79
	Vanya Avanesyan	Independent	212	0.30
Total			69,693	100.00
Valid votes			69,693	97.77
Invalid/blank votes			1,593	2.23
Total votes			71,286	100.00
Registered voters/turnout			92,114	77.39
Source: CEC

International reactions

Numerous international organizations such as the UN, the EU, NATO, the Council of Europe, the OSCE did not recognize the legitimacy of the elections.[3] The Presidency of the European Union stated that despite their position, the elections "should not have any impact on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Furthermore, the EU recalls that refugees and internally-displaced persons should be given the right to a safe, secure and dignified return of their homes in order to fully participate in electoral acts."[4]

Similarly, the chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers stated that it "reiterates its full support to the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairmen in their efforts towards a settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. It notes with concern that conducting such “elections”, thus pre-empting the outcome of the ongoing negotiations, cannot contribute to the resolution of the conflict. It calls on all parties concerned to intensify their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, in accordance with the commitment undertaken by Armenia and Azerbaijan upon accession to the Council of Europe."[5]

Aftermath

Sahakyan was sworn in on 7 September 2007.[6]

References

1. Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Nagorno-Karabakh: Region Gears Up For Presidential Election
2. Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. Nagorno-Karabakh: Who Will Be The Next President?
3. Freedom in the World 2008 - Nagorno-Karabakh. UNHCR. Accessed 17 July 2009.
4. "Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on "presidential elections" in Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 July 2007". Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2007.
5. Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers: Declaration on the “presidential elections” to be held in Nagorno Karabakh on 19 July 2007
6. H.E. Bako Sahakian, President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh. The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States. Accessed 17 July 2009.