The July 19 election in Nagorno-Karabakh demonstrates that at least one third of our population disagrees with the current policies in the country, says a presidential runner.

“The elections proved that at least one third of our population disagrees with the policies pursued and is demanding reforms. The authorities are obliged to revise their policies and they will do that upon our demand,” Vitaly Balasanyan, a Karabakh national hero who challenged the country’s re-elected president Bako Sagakyan in the Thursday polls, has said in a public statement.

Balasanyan claims that the authorities in Karabakh did not manage to ensure free and fair polls, with the population in different regions facing pressures on the voting day.

“The greatest pressures were exerted on the residents of the Kashatagh and Shahumyan regions. I consider the votes received in such conditions a good result which lays a serious foundation for launching a new political institution.

As a primary objective, that institution will seek to protect our citizens’ rights. I will always stand by the people sensitive to attempted violation of rights.

I express my gratitude to all those who cast their ballots in my favor. That required a certain degree of brevity on your part in such circumstances. I welcome all those who voted for the other candidates with clear conscience,” reads the statement.

Balasanyan further thanks his pre-election headquarters and proxies for doing a great deal of work work, as well as the media outlets and observers, who ensured an unbiased coverage and monitoring of the voting process.