Initial results of local referendum in Lori, Syunik, Tavush marzes show approval of government plan
Local referendum was held in the communities of Lori, Syunik, Tavush marzes on Sunday, May 17. According to preliminary information provided by the Central Election Commission, most residents in the three marzes said ‘yes’ to referendum to decide the future of their communities. In Tavush marz, residents were asked whether they agreed if Dilijan, Haghartsin, Teghut, Gosh, Aghavnavank, Khachardzan, Hovk communities were united under Dilijan community with the centre of Dilijan community. In Lori, Tumanyan, Marts, Qarinj, Lorut, Shamut, Atan, Ahnidzor communities are to be merged under Tumanyan community with the centre of Tumanyan community. And in Syunik marz, Shinuhayr, Tatev, Halidzor, Harjis, Svarants, Khot, Tandzatap, Qashuni communities are to be united under Tatev community with the centre of Shinuhayr community. The Armenian government has initiated several pilot programs in Lori, Syunik, Tavush marzes aimed at consolidating administration of communities into one administrative budget and staff. Many opposed the initiative in the beginning saying the government would do better to find ways to create jobs and housing, rather than ways to consolidate communities. The executive body hopes to make local self-governance more efficient, more capable, centralize local resources and provide better administration after implementing the pilot program.
