Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) Shirak regional center stated on Monday about backing a non-party candidate at the local self-governmental elections slated for September 9 in Shirak region.

At the mayoral elections the ARF-D will nominate Hovsep Simonyan’s candidacy. The paper says the decision has been made by the ARF-D Gyumri branch. Simonyan is the deputy head of Shirak governor’s office financial-economic department and ran for mayor at 2005 elections but self-withdrew his candidacy.

The paper reminds that incumbent Gyumri mayor Vardan Ghukasyan will not be nominated by the ruling Republican party as the authorities are going to back Prosperous Armenia party candidate Samvel Balasanyan.