By Siranush Adamyan
Armenia’s official campaign period for the 2026 parliamentary elections began on Friday, with 19 political forces entering the race, including 17 parties and two alliances.
Nearly 2.5 million citizens are eligible to vote, while 2,005 polling stations have been formed across the country.
According to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), 265 voters will cast their ballots electronically. The list includes employees of Armenia’s diplomatic and consular missions abroad, their family members, and officials on state assignments overseas.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has taken a leave from office to campaign. His ruling Civil Contract party launched its campaign in the southern Syunik province.
The Strong Armenia alliance, led by businessman Samvel Karapetyan, is holding its first official campaign event at Victory Park in Yerevan. Karapetyan, who is under house arrest, is expected to address supporters via video link.
Former President Robert Kocharyan’s Armenia Alliance is beginning its campaign in the town of Vagharshapat, also known as Etchmiadzin.
Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan is scheduled to meet party members on the first day of campaigning, while public rallies will begin on Sunday in his hometown of Abovyan.
The New Force party, led by former Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan, is starting its campaign with meetings in Yerevan courtyards.
The Wings of Unity party, headed by former Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, is launching voter outreach from the Goshavank monastic complex near the northern town of Ijevan.
Under the schedule approved by the CEC, political forces starting today will receive equal campaigning conditions stipulated by law, including access to public broadcast airtime and the formal start of public meetings.
The campaign period will continue until June 5, with a day of silence to follow before the June 7 vote.
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