"Zhoghovurd" daily writes:
"During the pre-election period, the old and familiar mechanism is being activated again in Armenia. community problems that have not been solved for years suddenly become "happy news" of the government. If before the elections, laying asphalt, promising construction works or announcements to solve community problems were considered as a tool to influence the voter, today the same handwriting can be seen already during the rule of KP. Gegharkunik Marz Governor Karen Sargsyan, addressing the residents of Vardenis, wrote: "Dear residents of Vardenis, I have one more happy news to announce. The Tsovak-Vardenis highway with a total length of 9 km has been completed. the main repair tender. The project envisages the construction of sidewalks and drainage systems, the installation of the road base, as well as the installation of a two-layer asphalt concrete cover. At the end of the project, the installation and marking of road signs will also be carried out. This road has been one of the most awaited and important problems of the people of Vardenis for years... We continue to work consistently to develop the state and our communities in peaceful and stable conditions." At first glance, ordinary it is the start of a road construction project, but such tenders are announced many times during the month without loud advertising. In the pre-election period, it is not possible to consider such statements deprived of political context. Especially when Gegharkunik Marz Governor Karen Sargsyan himself emphasizes that the road has been one of the most awaited problems of Vardenis residents "for years".
Against this background, it is interesting to remember the case of Gyumri. Martun Grigoryan's father was arrested last year in Gyumri for filling the "shebe" on the street. Accusations were circulating around his family in the government and near-government circles for months that "alum" was divided before the elections or promises of asphalt paving were made. Grigoryan publicly claimed that an attempt was made to discredit him by labeling him as an "electoral bribe giver". when such promises or construction works were talked about in the context of the opposition or the former, the government propaganda presented it as an attempt to bribe voters, to influence the administration or to influence the will of the voters.
And when, with the same logic, before the elections, a government official announces "good news" about a road that has not been resolved for years, it is already presented as "community development". The problem is not the fundamental repair of the road.
Vardenis and Tsovak must have a safe and well-maintained road. The problem is why the state program is presented in the language of political grace during the pre-election period. If the road is a state obligation implemented with the taxpayer's money, then it should not become part of the pre-election image of the KP. The KP promised for years to reject the old electoral culture. But today we see the same tool: asphalt, state resource, official statement and "good news" before the elections and arrests from opposition headquarters. Only the actors have changed."
Details in today's issue of "Zhoghovurd" daily.
