Presidential election begins in Armenia

The presidential election has begun in Armenia, amid speculations that incumbent President Serge Sarkisian will win a second five-year term in office.

More than 2.5 million eligible voters will cast their ballots at 1,988 polling stations across the country in the presence of respectively 632 and 6,251 international and local election observers on Monday.

Seven candidates including the incumbent president are contesting in the election.

The Heritage Party’s leader, Raffi Hovannisian, is the closest challenger of Sarkisian who leads the ruling Republican Party of Armenia.

Critics say Sarkisian is not facing any real competition, because all the credible opponents have withdrawn.

Opinion polls suggest that Sarkisian is set to win more than 60 percent of the vote in the South Caucasus country.

Voter turnout stood at 69 percent in the previous presidential election.