If a candidate is told 'I don't want to listen to you' or 'Why have you come to our community', should that person be arrested?

“The proposed package of projects contains a number of risks,” said independent MP Taghuhie Tovmasyan during a conversation with journalists, referring to the discussions on amending the criminal code and the accompanying package of changes and amendments to the related laws, as well as the draft law to amend the tax code.

According to the MP, at first glance, it seems like a very good project that contributes to the removal of all electoral obstacles, but the formulations of the draft are problematic. “In particular, it is stated that any obstruction of the campaign is punishable by three years of imprisonment or a fine of up to a thousand times the minimum penalty. If it turns out that a candidate goes to meet voters and one voter shouts from their seat, for example, ‘I’ve been voting for you for so many years, and you haven’t come,’ could that be considered an obstruction of the campaign? This concerns criticism and the expression of freedom of speech. If a candidate is told ‘I don’t want to listen to you’ or ‘Why have you come to our community,’ should that person be arrested?”

According to the MP, numerous obstacles may arise from the application of the law, and she sees risks. On the other hand, there is a provision regarding obstructing the process inside polling stations. Tovmasyan noted that while the presentation looks beautiful, the content is problematic. “We know that the most tense situation occurs when counting votes at polling stations. Often, internal clashes arise. It turns out that if someone says, ‘Hold the ballot this way,’ or ‘Do it so that I can see it,’ they could be criminally responsible under the obstruction article.”