Armenia’s National Assembly has adopted last-minute amendments to the Electoral Code imposing new restrictions on party and alliance names, just weeks before candidate registration and two months ahead of parliamentary elections. Critics say Nikol Pashinyan’s government is using the changes to disadvantage the opposition.
The bill passed with 67 votes in favor and 6 against, with all “yes” votes coming from Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party.
The amendments ban the use of personal names in party and alliance titles, as well as references to state or local government bodies and any wording deemed offensive or misleading.
Critics say the changes directly target the newly announced “Strong Armenia with Samvel Karapetyan” bloc, which was preparing to register on April 13.
“You are changing electoral legislation two months before elections. The largest opposition force has already announced its name, and now you are trying to prohibit it,” opposition lawmaker Hayk Mamijanyan of the Republican Party and parliamentarian from the “With Honor” faction said during the session.
Additional provisions tighten voting procedures. Ballots will be considered invalid if they contain any markings or extra items in the envelope, and election officials are restricted from holding other objects while handling ballots during counting.
Opposition figures also noted that international standards, including those of the Venice Commission, discourage major electoral changes within one year of elections.
The ruling party acknowledged the bill was introduced just one day before its adoption, reinforcing claims that the process was politically driven.
Parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 7, 2026, with candidate registration beginning on April 13.
