Election update 12:30 pm: Turnout rises above 2021 levels

By Siranush Adamyan

Armenians headed to the polls on Sunday in a closely watched parliamentary election, with turnout running ahead of the pace recorded in the previous national vote and leading candidates using their visits to polling stations to make final appeals to voters.

The Central Electoral Commission said that by 11:00 a.m., 362,657 voters had cast ballots, representing 14.48% of registered voters. That was higher than turnout at the same point in the last three parliamentary elections, when participation stood at 13.31% in 2017, 7.75% in 2018 and 12.21% in 2021.

The election pits Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract party against a fragmented opposition led by the Strong Armenia alliance of businessman Samvel Karapetyan and the Armenia alliance of former President Robert Kocharyan. Polls conducted before the vote suggested Civil Contract remained the frontrunner.

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Speaking to reporters before voting, Strong Armenia leader Samvel Karapetyan said that if elected, his alliance would pursue a balanced foreign policy.

“There will definitely be balance,” Karapetyan said. “We must have good relations with the United States, the European Union and Russia. These are countries that should help Armenia develop.”

Karapetyan also rejected suggestions that he was involved in reports that Armenians were being brought from Russia to vote in favor of his alliance. “How could I be connected while being under arrest?” he said.

Narek Karapetyan, who heads the Strong Armenia electoral list, said he had voted for “major change and a rebuilding Armenia.” “I voted for an Armenia where people are focused on building rather than fighting each other,” he told reporters, urging citizens to participate in the election.

Prosperous Armenia leader Gagik Tsarukyan said the “collective opposition” had a clear chance of victory and alleged that around 50 of his supporters had been detained.

“No matter what they do, they have already lost,” Tsarukyan told journalists, referring to the incumbent government. Law enforcement agencies have previously announced investigations involving alleged vote-buying linked to Prosperous Armenia supporters.

Pashinyan said after voting in Yerevan that his main expectation from the election day was the free expression of the people’s will.

“The people should be guided by the need to protect the state, independence, the future and peace,” he said.

Asked whether he was prepared to work in opposition should the Civil Contract fail to secure a majority, Pashinyan replied: “Whatever the people decide, that is what we will do.”

The prime minister also defended his government’s foreign policy, saying Armenia would continue developing relations with Moscow, Washington, Brussels and other partners. He dismissed suggestions of growing tensions with Russia, saying some political forces were trying to create friction in bilateral relations.

Pashinyan reiterated that Armenia would continue pursuing democratic reforms with European support and seek to align the country with European Union standards, while maintaining what he described as a balanced foreign policy.

Arman Tatoyan, the prime ministerial candidate of the Wings of Unity alliance, said the election “must not become a referendum on foreign interests.” He also said his team was monitoring reports of possible violations and would work to ensure votes were not stolen.

Election process

Opposition parties reported pressure on their supporters. The Armenia alliance said law enforcement officers had conducted searches at the homes of supporters in Gyumri and detained several people, including a local campaign office chief. Authorities had not commented on the allegations by midday. The alliance described the actions as a violation of electoral rights.

Election observers reported several procedural issues during the morning. The Eyewitness observer mission said it had recorded five significant incidents, including concerns over ballot secrecy at several polling stations, a delayed opening of one station, and irregularities involving ballot storage.

Other incidents reported by observers and political parties included allegations of double voting at a boarding school in Yerevan, claims that a police officer in Vanadzor attempted to leave a polling station with ballots, and technical issues at one polling station where voter identification numbers did not match the names listed in the register. Police denied the allegation involving the officer and said voting procedures had been followed correctly.

Polling stations opened at 8:00 a.m. and will remain open until 8:00 p.m., when counting is scheduled to begin.