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Artsakh is set to host a second round of voting to decide its next president as none of the candidates garnered at least 50% plus 1 vote in Tuesday’s general elections.

The voter turnout stood at 76,728 people or 73.5% of the eligible voters, Chairperson of the Artsakh Central Electoral Commission (CEC) Srbuhi Arzumanyan said on Wednesday.

A total of 2,625 ballot papers were declared invalid, she said, adding the final election results will be announced on April 7.

As many as 14 candidates were running for president in Artsakh, while 10 parties and 2 alliances were competing for seats in the National Assembly.

According to the initial results, presidential candidates Arayik Harutyunyan garnered 36,076 votes or 49.26% of the votes, Masis Mayilyan – 19,360 votes or 26.4% of the votes, Vitaly Balasanyan – 10,755 votes or 14.7% of the votes and Ashot Ghulyan – 1,683 votes or 2.3% of the votes.

The runoff election will be held on 14 April according to the Artsakh law, she said.

The CEC chair expressed her gratitude to the Artsakh voters for exercising their voting rights in a non-standard situation linked to the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring more than 73% voter turnout.