Armenia Passes Law Restricting Voting Rights for Citizens Living Abroad
The new law requires longer recent residency for regular and snap elections after reports that Moscow sought to sway the vote through the diaspora.
- On Friday, Armenia's parliament passed legislation raising the residency requirements for citizens living abroad to participate in all upcoming national elections.
- This legislation follows reported attempts by Moscow to influence last month's election by transporting Armenians from Russia to sway the vote.
- Under the new law, voters must have lived in Armenia for at least half of the preceding two years, calculated 48 days before regular or 28 days before snap elections.
- A group of Armenian civil society organizations condemned the legislation as unconstitutional, stating it "endangers democratic principles and violates the political rights of citizens."
- The Civil Contract party, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, claims the rules ensure voters understand local challenges, while Russia dismissed interference allegations as "spymania.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Armenia passes law restricting voting rights for citizens living abroad
The Vice-Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Ruben Rubinyan, stated that the amendments adopted were aimed at preventing illegal influence on the electoral process from abroad.
This decision was taken by Parliament in Yerevan, and the opposition boycotted the vote.
The National Assembly of Armenia has adopted amendments that allow only citizens who are resident in the Republic to vote in parliamentary elections and referendums, as reported by News.am.
Armenia Passes Law Tightening Election Rules, Limiting Voting for Citizens Living in the Diaspora - ZARTONK | Homeland Meets Diaspora | Latest Armenian News | Breaking News and Videos
Armenia’s National Assembly has adopted in the second and final reading a package of amendments to the Electoral Code and the Law on Referendums, introducing stricter eligibility requirements for participation in elections. The measure passed with 63 votes in favor during a July 3 session, amid a boycott by most of the parliamentary opposition. Only the Armenia Alliance faction took part in the vote, opposing the amendments. The legislative pack…
The Armenian parliament has significantly restricted the voting rights of the diaspora. The new conditions force voters to live at home longer and could change the balance of power in the country.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
