The Center for Regional Development/ Transparency International Armenia, together with Armenian Helsinki Committee, "Sksela" Initiative group and other partners, held an "Election Fair," on May 5 by the Komitas Statue near the Conservatoire. The Fair aimed to mock all the negative aspects of Armenian politics manifested throughout the republic during this pre-election period.

In the first part of the event, people were invited to buy a conscience and the votes of constituents. The next table presented monopolies of imported sugar, petroleum, cellular phones and other markets, the third sold posts of high-ranking governmental positions including prime minister, minister, member of parliament, judge, etc.



A mock auction was held in the second part of the event which creatively allowed participants the chance to buy an NGO, a scientist, an athlete, a singer and an actor with dollars, petroleum and other valuables.

The area surrounding the statue was decorated with a number of posters, one of which presented nicknames of MPs. Another poster featured a takeoff of a paraphrased Tumanian quatrain about a piece of dry bread provided by one's "father," the next depicted those who are confused between the leadership and the opposition, and the rest were in a similar spirit.



The event was followed by a joint press conference with the representatives of CRD/TI Armenia, Armenian Helsinki Committee, Asparez Journalists Club, and "Sksela" Initiative group.