Amendments to Armenia’s Electoral Code deprive the diaspora of participation in political life: Maria Zakharova

Proposed amendments to Armenia’s Electoral Code effectively bar the diaspora from participating in the socio-political life of their own country and people. Maria Zakharova, Official Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said this.

According to her, people with Armenian passports are thereby stripped of part of their basic rights, the right to vote in elections. She noted that this resembles the situation in Moldova, where, during the campaign, the authorities did everything to prevent compatriots in Russia from being able to vote.

Zakharova added that in Armenian society, such initiatives are being presented by pro-government media outlets as a fight against “mythical Kremlin hybrid attacks.”

As a reminder, on July 2 the Armenian parliament will hold an extraordinary session to review the amendments to the Electoral Code. Only citizens who have resided in the country for at least 48 days before the election (28 days for snap elections) will be allowed to vote. The amendments are planned to be adopted on an accelerated basis and take effect the following day.