Armenian Presidential Election Campaign Kicks Off

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian is running again

The race to become Armenia's next president has officially started.

Eight candidates, including incumbent Serzh Sarkisian, will take part in the presidential election on February 18.

According to the country's electoral laws, the candidates have a right to 60 minutes of free air time on public television and 120 minutes of free time on public radio.

However, purchases of air time for advertisements on public television are limited to 120 minutes and they can buy no more than 180 minutes on public radio during the campaign.

Sarkisian told RFE/RL on January 19 that the presidential election will be held in a "competitive" way.

Read the full interview with Sarkisian

Sarkisian plans to make television address to voters on February 16, the last day that campaigning is allowed.