Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Committee has initiated criminal proceedings against Hovhannes Hakobyan, the Civil Contract party’s candidate for mayor of Masis, over his promise to give a child a mobile phone. The proceedings concern a possible violation of the legally established prohibition on charitable activities during elections.
A video circulating online in recent days shows Hovhannes Hakobyan, the Civil Contract party’s candidate for mayor of Masis, promising a mobile phone to a young boy, RFE/RL reports.
Those present then suggested that the child thank the candidate by singing a song. The boy, in turn, urged people to vote for Hakobyan.
In an earlier comment to the Zhoghovurd daily newspaper, Hovhannes Hakobyan said he intended to give the child the promised phone after the elections were over. He also maintained that the election campaign had not yet officially begun and that the child was not eligible to vote.
Under Armenia’s Criminal Code, once elections have been officially called and until the voting results are finalized, a candidate who promises a voter any service or goods, by any means or under the guise of charity, faces a prison sentence of three to six years.
