Elections Will Be Difficult to Conduct: Mukuchyan Submits Objections

Today, the National Assembly will discuss the draft of the Republic of Armenia's electoral code in an extraordinary session, through which the authorities intend to hold snap parliamentary elections on June 20 using a proportional electoral system. However, the 'Zhoghovurd' daily learned from its well-informed sources that the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia has submitted objections to the Ministry of Justice regarding the proposed changes to the electoral code.

According to our information, the main objection concerns the proposed replacement of the rating electoral system in the Electoral Code with a 100% proportional system. It appears that this single amendment necessitates a chain of numerous changes. The Central Electoral Commission itself opposes the change in the electoral process. In particular, CEC Chairman Tigran Mukuchyan has expressed the view during discussions with certain parliamentary members of the ruling faction that the amendments to the code would complicate the conduct of elections since deadlines have already been announced. These changes would require a review of election preparations, calculations, the representation of minorities, and other issues.

Mukuchyan has submitted objections regarding this package, explaining thoroughly that if adopted, many difficulties will arise. Additionally, it is worth noting that the Venice Commission has specific principles: elections cannot occur within a timeframe of six months prior to changes in the electoral code. Furthermore, the Electoral Code must be adopted with broad political consensus.

‘Zhoghovurd’ attempted to obtain a comment from CEC Chairman Tigran Mukuchyan regarding the objections he submitted, but he has not been responding to our calls for a considerable time. Meanwhile, the CEC's press office informed us that they have decided to refrain from comments regarding the elections and the Electoral Code at this stage.

Finally, we should add that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan does not wish to conduct elections without the rating electoral system. The faction representing civil society organizations insists that the Electoral Code must be changed to achieve a 100% proportional system. This is the reason why the issue has entered the Parliament's agenda for the extraordinary session.