The National Assembly of Armenia has adopted amendments allowing voting in parliamentary elections and referendums only to citizens permanently residing in the republic. About this Reports News.am.
According to the amendments, only citizens of Armenia who have permanently resided in the republic 48 days before the election (or 28 days before early elections) for more than one year out of two years (at least 366 days out of the last 730 days) will be able to participate in voting.
The drafters of the amendments were representatives of the ruling Civil Contract Party, led by Nikol Pashinyan. The initiative received the support of 63 deputies. The opposition boycotted the vote.
Representatives from the former “Armenia” opposition faction maleThey intend to appeal the amendments before the Constitutional Court. They believe that the approved changes limit citizens’ voting rights.
The ruling party said that Armenian citizens permanently residing abroad often do not have sufficient understanding of the candidates or may vote under the influence of the political agenda of the country of residence. Taking into account the fact that several hundred thousand citizens of the country reside permanently outside Armenia, this, according to the party, could create conditions for a “mixed impact on the electoral process.”
Shortly before parliamentary elections in Armenia, Reuters reported that Russian officials were discussing a plan to send Armenian citizens living in Russia back to their homeland to vote for his rival Nikol Pashinyan. Whether this plan was implemented is unknown.
According to the Election Law of Armenia, voting abroad is prohibited.
Parliamentary elections were held in Armenia on June 7. It was won by the Civil Contract Party led by Nikol Pashinyan, obtaining 49.8% of the votes. This result is sufficient for a parliamentary majority to enable it to form the government on its own. However, this is not enough to obtain a constitutional majority that allows changing the constitution.