Samvel Babayan Unable to Run for Artsakh President

The Artsakh parliament has decided to include in the agenda of the session a draft amendment to the Constitution of the Republic of Artsakh, which was introduced as a civic initiative by the group’s authorized representative, Vladimir Poghosyan.

The draft constitutional amendments proposed changes to Article 48, parts 2 and 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Artsakh, allowing citizens of the Republic of Armenia the right to run as candidates for president of the Republic of Artsakh and for members of the National Assembly. Additionally, it aimed to reduce the residency requirement for presidential candidates from 10 years to 3 years, and for candidates for the National Assembly from 5 years to 3 years.

However, the draft was rejected with 4 votes in favor, 24 against, and 1 abstention. It is worth noting that this initiative was linked to former Minister of Defense and Artsakh hero Samvel Babayan, who wished to participate in the upcoming presidential elections in Artsakh. Therefore, the removal of the permanent residency requirement from the Constitution was necessary for his candidacy.