The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Armenia held a special meeting on Jan 14, with presidential candidates’ registration applications discussed.

The CEC registered the candidacies of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan, Heritage party chairman Raffi Hovannissian, leader of Freedom party, former prime minister Hrant Bagratyan, former foreign minister of Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arman Melikyan, National Self-Determination Union party head Paruyr Hayrikyan, Radio Hay director Andreas Ghukasyan, literature expert Vardan Sedrakyan and National Conciliation Party leader Aram Harutyunyan.

6 out of 15 Armenian citizens earlier failed to submit full set of documents to CEC, with presidential hopeful Robert Aharonyan withdrawing candidacy.