Pre-election Campaign Period for Yerevan Local Council Elections Begins on August 23

According to Article 19 of the Electoral Code, the pre-election campaign period starts on August 23, 2023, and ends on September 15, 2023, at 24:00. During this period, pre-election campaigning must be carried out in accordance with the Electoral Code and other legal acts.

The Central Electoral Commission of Armenia has announced that candidates who are employees and officials of state and local self-governing bodies, with the exception of political, administrative, and discretionary office holders, are legally exempt from performing their official duties from August 23, 2023, until September 17, 2023.

During the pre-election campaign, as well as on the day before and the day of voting, candidates and political parties participating in the elections are prohibited from giving (promising) money, food, securities, goods, or services to voters for free or on preferential terms, either personally or indirectly.

Charitable organizations whose names can be associated with the names of candidates or the names of political parties participating in the elections cannot conduct charity in the communities where elections are held and where those candidates or parties participate.

Organizations whose names may be associated with those of participating political parties, or which are headed by them, are barred from conducting charity from the day the election decision comes into force until the results are summarized. An organization is considered to be headed by a political party if the members of its governing body fully or partially coincide with the members of the party's permanently functioning governing body.

The indicated ban also applies to organizations whose founder(s) or leader has been nominated as a candidate in the elections.

Visible campaign posters, printed campaign materials, and other items can only be displayed in designated areas, paid advertisement boards, or on election headquarters, and with the consent of the physical persons in charge, on buildings under their ownership or control (except for state and community-owned buildings, general education schools, multi-apartment or divided buildings, and public catering or trading facilities), or on vehicles (except for public transport and taxis).

Campaign materials can also be freely used during pre-election meetings and other activities related to the campaign. Materials displayed during these events must be removed by the relevant candidate or political party after the event concludes.

Individuals authorized to conduct pre-election campaigns can carry campaign materials without restriction. Organizations managing outdoor advertisement panels are allocated the right to place campaign posters and materials exceeding five square meters and in metro areas, public transport stops, and elevators by the Central Electoral Commission's decision.

The Central Electoral Commission requires that political parties sign contracts with the organizations managing external advertising panels for the posting of campaign materials following their decision.

Campaign materials must include information about the commissioner, printing organization, and print run. Anonymous campaign print materials are prohibited.

Campaigning is banned on the day before and on the voting day via public speeches, public events, and media outlets, including cable networks, satellite communications, and terrestrial broadcasting by audiovisual media service providers, as well as through internet advertising.

The organization or execution of pre-election campaigns or the distribution of any campaign materials using financial, informational resources, vehicles, and communication means provided for the execution of official duties is prohibited unless it falls under security measures protected by the Law of the Republic of Armenia on the Security of Persons Subject to Special State Protection.

Members of the National Assembly and directly elected local community leaders and council members are not prohibited from conducting campaigning or distributing campaign materials, provided they do not use administrative resources.

Candidates in public service or listed in the electoral lists of participating parties must adhere to the following restrictions: 1) it is prohibited for candidates or political parties participating in elections to solicit direct or indirect votes while exercising official duties; 2) the use of official resources for campaigning purposes is prohibited without exception.

If media is covering the activities of a candidate in public service included on the electoral list of participating political parties, they must ensure equal coverage of all candidates and parties while maintaining a non-discriminatory principle in reporting.