Authorities’ main fear is people’s activity – Tigran Kocharyan

Alpha News editor-in-chief Tigran Kocharyan commented on recent sociological surveys, describing them as a “hybrid technology” aimed at discouraging the public from participating in elections.

According to Kocharyan, the true purpose of these surveys is not to reflect public sentiment but to manipulate politics. He noted that the surveys are conducted by Western organizations linked to certain US political circles and are published at symbolic moments, such as immediately after visits by high-ranking officials.

“The elections in Vagharshapat showed the objective picture. The opposition did not receive 3 or 8 percent there. If we extrapolate, the opposition’s votes amounted to about 38%. How is it possible that within two months a 38% rating turns into 3%, while Pashinyan’s rating grows so much that even Robert Kocharyan, Samvel Karapetyan, Gagik Tsarukyan, and others combined and doubled cannot reach him?” he said.

Kocharyan stated that the authorities’ main fear is high voter turnout, since a large number reduces the impact of the fixed percentage secured through administrative resources: “The main fear of the authorities is people’s activity. They just need to create a situation like: ‘the game is rigged, the referee is bought, it’s pointless to go to the elections, Nikol has already won.’”

He stressed that the entire “farce” is meant to discourage citizens so that fewer people go to vote.

“This is the clear strategy of the authorities—to prevent the mobilization of the opposition masses. Through opinion polls, they are trying to instill in the public that any struggle is futile,” he added.