This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7254121.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Current PM 'wins' Armenian poll Current PM 'wins' Armenian poll
(about 4 hours later)
Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian has won fiercely-contested presidential polls in the former Soviet republic, near complete official results show. Armenian Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian has won fiercely-contested presidential polls in the former Soviet republic, a complete preliminary count shows.
With 97% of ballots counted, Mr Sarkisian led with 52% of the vote, with his nearest rival, ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosian, lagging on 21%. Election officials said Mr Sarkisian led with 52.9% of the vote, with his nearest rival, ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosian, trailing on 21.5%.
The results suggest that Mr Sarkisian wins outright, avoiding a run-off.The results suggest that Mr Sarkisian wins outright, avoiding a run-off.
But Mr Ter-Petrosian said Tuesday's vote had been rigged, calling for a protest rally in the capital Yerevan.But Mr Ter-Petrosian said Tuesday's vote had been rigged, calling for a protest rally in the capital Yerevan.
Mr Ter-Petrosian's supporters are already gathering in the city, the BBC's Matthew Collin in Yerevan says.
Turnout was nearly 70% of 2.3m eligible voters, Armenia's election commission said. Seven other candidates were also in the race.Turnout was nearly 70% of 2.3m eligible voters, Armenia's election commission said. Seven other candidates were also in the race.
The final results are expected shortly.
'Violations''Violations'
Mr Sarkisian is a close ally of outgoing President Robert Kocharian, and the election was initially expected to be a smooth handover of power to Mr Sarkisian.Mr Sarkisian is a close ally of outgoing President Robert Kocharian, and the election was initially expected to be a smooth handover of power to Mr Sarkisian.
Armenian voters' viewsIn picturesArmenian voters' viewsIn pictures
But Mr Ter-Petrosian - Armenia's president between 1991 and 1998 - surprised experts with a lively and outspoken campaign, and now insists he is the real winner.But Mr Ter-Petrosian - Armenia's president between 1991 and 1998 - surprised experts with a lively and outspoken campaign, and now insists he is the real winner.
"The first president of Armenia won in the first round. We would like to congratulate citizens with that victory," his spokesman Arman Musinyan said after the polls, according to Reuters news agency. "Very dirty things are happening," Mr Ter-Petrosian said after voting, alleging that the election had been rigged.
"There were very serious violations during voting, including ballot-stuffing, kidnapping and the beating of our representatives at the polling stations," he said.
The Armenian authorities have strongly denied manipulating the election process.The Armenian authorities have strongly denied manipulating the election process.
Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and a Russia-led group of former Soviet republics were monitoring the vote. Observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) - who were monitoring the vote - are expected to announce their assessment of the election later on Wednesday.
An observer mission from a Russia-led group of former Soviet republics said the elections were "free and open", Russia's Itar-Tass news agency reported.
Conflict overshadows pollsConflict overshadows polls
The OSCE mission is expected to announce its assessment of the elections later on Wednesday.
Although small, Armenia is regarded as strategically important - lying between the energy-rich Caspian Sea and the gas and oil markets of southern Europe.Although small, Armenia is regarded as strategically important - lying between the energy-rich Caspian Sea and the gas and oil markets of southern Europe.
Correspondents say the main issues for Armenians are tackling unemployment and resolving long-running disputes with neighbouring Turkey and Azerbaijan, both of which have closed their borders with Armenia.Correspondents say the main issues for Armenians are tackling unemployment and resolving long-running disputes with neighbouring Turkey and Azerbaijan, both of which have closed their borders with Armenia.