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The Constitution currently in force gives wide powers to the president, for example, he may appoint judges, while the draft constitutional amendments will transfer that function to the parliament, which will change the judicial system in the country, member of ARF-Dashnaktustyun (ARFD) Party Arthur Yeghiazaryan said in the city of Maralik, Shirak province, during the campaign ahead of the constitutional reform referendum in Armenia.

‘Yes and No’ television project of Armnews and A1+ Companies was launched on November 13. The reality show is broadcast by Armnews TV Channel 12 hours a day and can also be viewed at the website of A1+. 16 political and public figures will travel to Armenian regions during the reality show. Two groups were formed, each consisting of 4 participants supporting and 4 opposing the constitutional reform. One team will be visiting northern regions of Armenia, the other will go to southern provinces. Their meetings with local residents will be broadcast live on November 13 – December 2 from 11 am to 11 pm.

“If you say no to the constitutional reform, it means you agree that the situation should remain as it is,” Yeghiazaryan said when explaining to a resident of Maralik that “the constitutional reformmay change a lot in the country”.

It is noteworthy that ex-deputy head of Armenia’s National Security Service Gurgen Yeghiazaryan joined today ‘No’ team of the reality show in Maralik today.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on August 21 sent the draft constitutional amendments to the country’s parliament. The draft was developed by the Special Commission on Constitutional Reforms adjunct to Armenian President. Following the debates, the Armenian parliament adopted on October 5 the draft decision of the National Assembly on its consent for the document to be put to a referendum. The decision was passed by a majority of the votes: 104 MPs voted in favor, 10 against, with 3 abstentions. The draft was supported by the factions of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), and opposition ARF-Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD) and Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP). Opposition factions ‘Heritage’ and ‘Armenian National Congress (ANC), and 2 MPs of opposition faction ‘Orinats Yerkir’ voted against. The Armenian president set December 6, 2015 as the date for the constitutional referendum. The campaign for the constitutional reform in Armenia began on October 10 and will end at midnight of December 4.