On the Campaign Trail:
Ter-Petrosian

Levon Ter-Petrosian, who served from 1991 to 1998 as Armenia's first president, may not be unanimously considered the top opposition presidential candidate, but he is surely the one with the deepest political experience and with the most controversial history. His main obstacles to regaining Armenia s top post will require rallying enough of the voting public behind him and gaining the support of key opposition parties.

Photographer: Karen Minasyan

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On the Campaign Trail:
Sarkisian

The current prime minister has been handpicked by current President Robert Kocharian as his successor. Polls, hotly disputed by the opposition, claim that the native of Nagorno-Karabakh could win the presidency without a second-round runoff vote. Despite what looks like a comfortable lead, Sarkisian continues to campaign throughout the country, saying he will focus on eliminating poverty and corruption if he is elected to the top office.

Photographer: Anahit Hayrapetyan

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On the Campaign Trail:
Various Candidates

In addition to a former president and the current prime minister, seven other peopla are vying for the country's presidency. They represent key moments in Armenia's political history. Baghdasarian, a former parliamentary speaker, aspires to lead the opposition. Hovhannisian, the deputy parliamentary speaker, was once charged as a coup leader. Manukian, a longtime Ter-Petrosian rival, still fumes over the '96 race. And Arman Melikian is the former de facto foreign minister of breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh.

Photographer: Karen Mirzoyan

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Campaign Issue:
Border Villages

Hoping to revitalize the country's border villages, where running water, gas and electricity can be unreliable or nonexistent, the Armenian government started the Rural Development Program in June 2007, appealing to the Armenian diaspora, foreign organizations, international governments and private individuals to fund development in these villages.

Photographer: Dean C.K. Cox

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Campaign Issue:
Poverty

Although the World Bank has labeled Armenia the Caucasian Tiger  and the country s economic growth rate launched to 13.8 percent last year, independent estimates claim 25 percent to 50 percent of the country s population still lives beneath the poverty line. Social welfare, new jobs and economic revival are among the key issues driving the campaign platforms in the presidential race.

Photographer: Karen Minasyan

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Election Day:
Armenians Go to the Polls

With nine presidential candidates on the ballot, Armenian voters have a varied selection from whch to choose a new leader. Polling stations thoughout Yerevan hosted young to old, soldiers and retirees, and the top candidates, including current Prime Minster Serzh Sarkisian and former president Levon Ter-Petrosian. Listen to several voters talk about the day and what they expect from their new president.

Photographer: Dean C.K. Cox

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Post Election:
Election Result Protests Begin

The same day the Armenian Central Election Commission declares Serzh Sarkisian the winner of the 2008 presidential election, Levon Ter-Petrosian appeals to other government opposition leaders and his thousands of supporters to begin a series of rallies and marches in Yerevan to protest against the result. Hear and see the first day of protest as an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people rally and march through the city.

Photographer: Dean C.K. Cox

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