Parliamentary elections in Armenia concluded with figures that experts describe as unprecedented for the current political climate. The country's Central Election Commission (CEC) recorded high voter turnout: three hours before the polls closed, participation reached 48.92%. For comparison, at the same time during the previous elections, only 38.52% of voters had cast their ballots.

Statistics and Violations: Figures from Election Day

The total number of citizens eligible to vote in these elections is 2,505,102. Final turnout data will be released at 20:00 Kyiv time. Polling stations closed at 19:00, and preparations for vote counting are currently underway across the country. The first preliminary results are expected to be known at 22:00 Kyiv time.

The voting process was not without incidents. The Operational Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the hotline received 57 calls related to the elections. As of 17:00, the following violations were recorded:

  • 19 cases of multiple voting;
  • 15 violations of ballot secrecy;
  • 2 instances of obstruction of the right to vote;
  • 1 case of voter bribery;
  • 1 incident involving the carrying of a cold weapon at a polling station.

Materials regarding these incidents have been transferred to pre-trial investigation bodies, and 14 individuals have been detained. Currently, 198 other reports of possible violations, as well as publications in the press and social media, are being verified.

Geopolitical Context: Pressure from Moscow

The elections in Armenia are taking place against a backdrop of sharply deteriorating relations with Russia. Yerevan is facing significant pressure due to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's course towards rapprochement with the European Union. Following the EAEU summit, Vladimir Putin openly threatened Armenia with an "Ukrainian scenario" if the country continues its pro-European integration aspirations.

Moscow has already begun applying retaliatory measures: the Russian ambassador to Armenia was recalled for consultations, and economic pressure measures have commenced. Reuters, citing data from Western intelligence services and documents, reports that Russia is attempting to prevent Pashinyan's victory, fearing that his re-election would finally solidify the country's pro-Western development vector.