Armenia has passed a law restricting the voting rights of some citizens living abroad
The Armenian Parliament has finally passed a law restricting the right to vote for citizens who have lived outside the country for an extended period. The bill has already received the support of lawmakers and changes the rules governing the participation of certain categories of voters in elections.
The National Assembly of Armenia passed, in its second reading and as a whole, a draft law restricting the voting rights of Armenian citizens abroad, introduced by deputies from the ruling “Civic Contract” party.
The law stipulates that citizens who have not been in Armenia for more than one year during the two years preceding the publication of the voter rolls will not be able to vote in national elections and referendums. Exceptions will be made for those who traveled on official business or for educational purposes.
The law was passed with 63 votes in favor; the opposition boycotted the vote.
The opposition “Armenia” faction plans to challenge the law in the Constitutional Court.
Several nongovernmental organizations have also criticized it as unconstitutional and disproportionately restricting the right to vote, thereby violating citizens’ political rights and democratic principles.
This was reported by “Radio Azatutyun” and Newsam.
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