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| - At least 20,000 supporters of Armenian opposition leader Robert Kocharyan rallied Friday as campaigning wrapped up ahead of weekend polls called in a bid to end a political crisis. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called the early legislative elections in the hopes of renewing his mandate after the small South Caucasus country's military defeat to arch foe Azerbaijan but is in a tight race with former leader Kocharyan. Pashinyan, 46, rose to power in 2018 on a pledge to oust corrupt elites and turn around the country's fortunes after decades of poverty and rampant graft. But he has lost much of his lustre after Armenia ceded swathes of territory to Azerbaijan following a six-week war over a lingering dispute that claimed more than 6,000 lives. On Friday evening, supporters of Pashinyan's main rival, including decorated war veterans, massed in the capital's Republic Square waving flags and chanting "Kocharyan!" Addressing the crowd, Kocharyan, who was in power between 1998 and 2008 and counts Russia's Vladimir Putin among his friends, accused the authorities of plotting to rig the vote. "This vile government can resort to anything," the 66-year-old said, urging supporters to be vigilant at polling stations on Sunday. Kocharyan appeared to have mobilised about the same number of supporters -- or even slightly more -- than his rival managed at a rally the day before, according to estimates by AFP reporters who witnessed both events. At Friday's rally, many said they could no longer trust Pashinyan. "We lived well when Kocharyan was president," said one supporter, Emma Khachaturyan, 50. "Pashinyan is a traitor," she added. Some polls show Pashinyan's Civil Contract Party is neck-and-neck with Kocharyan's electoral grouping. According to a survey released on the last day of campaigning on Friday, Kocharyan's bloc edged ahead of its main rival but neither were expected to get more than 30 percent of the vote. Many Armenians are sticking by Pashinyan, arguing that the newspaper editor turned prime minister deserves another chance. "We need to support this man, the leader who has found himself in a difficult situation due to objective reasons -- the war, depressed people, and enemy countries' everyday aggression," said Ani Sargsyan, 29. Pashinyan backers fear the return of the old guard and point to the controversial reputation of Kocharyan, who is seen by many as a wealthy man and faces a corruption investigation. Kocharyan backers however praise his experience and economic track record. The venomous campaign has been marred by aggressive rhetoric and fears the election could further polarise the country. Pashinyan says he expects his party to secure 60 percent of the vote -- an estimate pollsters say is far-fetched -- and brandished a hammer at recent rallies. Speaking during a televised debate on Thursday night, Pashinyan pledged fair elections but warned of the risk of clashes if his opponents came to power. "Citizens of Armenia can see that there are forces who are provoking political clashes, civil war," he said. Pashinyan's rivals, including Kocharyan and his enemy and predecessor Serzh Sargsyan, refused to take part in the debate. In a video address earlier Friday, Kocharyan urged Armenians to choose carefully on the "fateful day." "I am sure you will no longer allow anyone to fool you," he said. "Let's heal our wounds." Observers say the election result is unpredictable, with many planning to stay home on Sunday. A poll released on Friday by MPG, a group affiliated with Gallup International Association, showed Kocharyan's bloc leading narrowly with 28.7 percent to 25.2 percent for Pashinyan's party. A record four electoral blocs and 22 parties were registered to run in the polls. One party later dropped out, and only a handful are expected to win seats in parliament. Around 2.6 million people are eligible to vote for the minimum number of 101 members of parliament who sit for a five-year term. Under the country's electoral system of proportional representation, a party needs to garner at least 54 percent of the seats in the legislature to form a government, and analysts do not rule out a second round of polls. mkh-ant-as/emg/pbr
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