Exhibition of election bribes in Yerevan

‘Art Laboratory’ group of art figures organized today a political exhibition on election bribes. All kinds of election bribes given during the 2012 election campaign have been presented at the event, including pumpkin jams, potato, wheat, eggs.

The asphalt coverage work in the streets was also considered a bribe by the group that is why they have exhibited asphalt as well. ‘The goal of the exhibition is to once again voice about the election bribes. Everyone knows about them, but no one is being punished,’ member of the group, artist Hovhannes Margaryan said.

Asked whether the organization of such events may promote prevention of this negative phenomenon, Margaryan said, ‘I do not think so. But the message will be delivered, that is our goal,’ he said.

The symbol of the exhibition is the 5000 AMD banknote, the widely spread election bribe. And as far as it pictures Hovhannes Tumanyan, the exhibition was conducted in Hovhannes Tumanyan house-museum.

Besides the election bribes, the exhibition also presents the letters of candidate Nikol Pashinyan addressed to the residents of his election district. They present the difficulties the candidate has faced during his election campaign.

The exhibition displays the extracts from Ludwig Khachatryan’s ‘Electoral Right and Election Frauds’ book. They present the Armenian villages where the number of population greatly differed from the number of voters. For instance, the population of Koghb village of Tavush region was 4610, but 5218 people went to the polls.

The group of art figures always refers to political events they consider urgent. Their previous exhibition was dedicated to the March 1 2008 events in Yerevan followed the presidential elections. The idea of such events is the wish to have open and democratic society.

The exhibition will last until May 7.