InfoHub Logo

Armenia's parliamentary elections, held on June 7, commenced under a cloud of controversy with the arrest of several election commission members. Reports indicate that some officials were detained overnight, leading to their absence when polling stations opened.

Election Officials Detained

Vage Hovakimyan, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission, confirmed that three key election officials – two chairpersons and one secretary – were arrested during the night. Despite these detentions, Hovakimyan assured that the electoral code provides mechanisms for the commission's work to continue uninterrupted.

A Competitive Political Landscape

A total of 18 political entities, including 16 parties and two blocs, are vying for seats in the National Assembly. Among the contenders is the "Civil Contract" party, led by incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has been in power since 2018 and seeks to retain his position.

While the ruling party may not command absolute majority support, its popularity is sufficient to position it as a frontrunner in opinion polls, according to Western sociologists. The opposition, composed of various parties and blocs, faces challenges in forming a unified front due to internal disagreements, despite potentially commanding a majority if they were to unite.

Electoral Process Details

The upcoming elections aim to fill at least 101 seats in the National Assembly. The total number of eligible voters stands at 2,485,851. The elections are being conducted exclusively within Armenia using a proportional representation system, with no overseas polling stations established as per Armenian law.

To secure parliamentary representation, parties must garner at least 4% of the vote. Blocs comprising two or three organizations need 8%, while broader coalitions of four or more participants require 10%.

Should no single party secure over 50% of the vote to form a governing coalition, a second round of voting is scheduled for July 4. This runoff will feature the top two political forces from the first round. The winner of the second round will automatically receive 54% of the parliamentary seats and gain the authority to appoint ministers independently.