Ardahan Newspaper | Since 1995 |
YEREVAN, Armenia — Citizens across Armenia have begun casting their ballots in a highly anticipated parliamentary election that will determine the composition of the National Assembly for the next five years.
According to reports from Armenia’s state news agency, Armenpress, polling stations opened promptly at 08:00 local time and are scheduled to remain open continuously until 20:00, at which point vote counting will immediately commence. The Migration and Citizenship Service has confirmed that roughly 2.5 million citizens are registered and eligible to vote across 2,005 polling stations nationwide.
High Stakes and Geopolitical Overtones
International and domestic observers view this election as a crucial turning point for the South Caucasus nation. It marks the first regular general election since the monumental geopolitical shifts in the region, particularly following the 2023 events in Nagorno-Karabakh. The outcome is expected to define whether Armenia continues its recent pivot toward European integration and Western alliances or realigns with its traditional partner, Russia.
Eighteen political forces—comprising 16 political parties and two alliances—are officially contesting the 101-seat National Assembly. To enter parliament, individual parties must cross a 4% voting threshold, while alliances face a stricter 10% barrier
Key Contenders and Developments
Nikol Pashinyan (Civil Contract): The incumbent Prime Minister voted early in Yerevan, expressing firm confidence that "the citizens of Armenia will win" and asserting that strengthening democratic institutions is the key to regional peace. Pashinyan's platform heavily pushes for finalizing a permanent peace treaty with neighboring Azerbaijan.
Rising Turnout and Early Incidents
The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) reported that voter turnout had reached 33.84% by 14:00 local time, indicating robust public engagement compared to early morning figures.
However, the day has not been without controversy. The CEC confirmed that three election officials failed to report for duty following their sudden arrests in an undisclosed criminal investigation. Furthermore, Armenia's Anti-Corruption Committee announced several arrests in the Lori Province regarding an alleged vote-buying scheme tied to a local candidate from the opposition Strong Armenia bloc.
As voting enters its final hours, live broadcasts are covering nearly 90% of the polling stations to maintain transparency amid unprecedented international oversight, including observation missions from the OSCE and the CIS.
