YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The Constitutional Right Union considered the joint statement issued by five presidential candidates the night after the election "at least–hasty." CRU Deputy Chairman Hayk Babukhanian said the election process did not contain essential breaches–according to information obtained from representatives for CRU Chairman and presidential candidate Hrant Khachatrian and through inspections conducted by the CRU and the Iravunk daily staff. Babukhanian reported only one serious offense when criminal agents used force at one of the polling stations in Yerevan.
"The fact that a criminal case was immediately instituted provides us with optimism–and we’ll see that those responsible are revealed and punished. On the whole–we have no reason to consider the election unfair," said Babukhanian.
Babukhanian ruled out CRU support for Demirchian in the run-off election–since the organization views this candidate’s political platform as anti-national and anti-democratic. The CRU finds no obstacle in supporting Kocharian–but suggest that he "continue to uphold his pledge to ensure a free and fair election and hold responsible and punish all those who violated the law." The CRU also said–"We deem that there are many in and around his [Kocharian’s] campaign staff who seek positions and after they are removed we will probably offer our support to Kocharian".