YEREVAN (A.W.)—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Supreme Council of Armenia issued a statement today (Feb. 20) arguing that “the will of the people expressed on Feb. 18 must not be trampled upon.” The ARF noted that “the best possible election was promised, the worst was delivered.” We ought to realize the seriousness of the situation and look for solutions accordingly, stated the party in its first official post-election statement, the translation of which The Armenian Weekly presents below, in full.

ARF: The best possible election was promised, the worst was delivered.

***

The citizens of Armenia demonstrated on Feb. 18 that their patience has limits, that they deserve a much better life andleadership, and that it’s impossible to kill the people’s aspirations for justice and freedom.

The people’s outrage came in response to the political, social, economic and moral environment in the country. It came in response to the authorities and the rank and file of their representative, who were behaving as if they enjoy the trust and support of the absolute majority. It became evident that that the majority of the people does not accept the current regime.

On top of their limitless administrative and financial resources, the authorities employed a coordinated effort to rig the vote counting process. The best possible election was promised, the worst was delivered. The results reasserted our conviction that the election was fixed, and the assessment of international observers was too predictable.

The post-election environment and the developments ahead impose an immense responsibility and difficult decisions upon the authorities, the leading presidential candidate, the opposition forces, and the active segment of the public. The will of the people expressed on Feb. 18 must not be trampled upon. The ARF stands together with the people, and subscribes to the view of finding solutions together. We ought to realize the seriousness of the situation and look for a way out accordingly. This is a difficult yet inevitable task that needs to be undertaken collectively. We have a duty to be worthy of our people[‘s trust].  Only in this way, only with a clearly defined political agenda can we move the country from the current standstill and deterioration to the steady path of development, and guarantee a secure and dignified future for the citizens of Armenia.

ARF Supreme Council of Armenia
Feb. 20, 2013