Parliament passes election observer bill in first reading

PanARMENIAN.Net - The National Assembly, in an extraordinary session, passed in the first reading a legislative initiative proposing amendments to the Constitutional Law on the Electoral Code of Armenia. The bill concerns the activities of election observer missions.

According to 1lurer.am, the proposal was approved with 65 votes in favor, 2 against, and no abstentions.

The second reading is expected to proceed under a 24-hour procedure.

Presenting the bill, Arusyak Julhakyan from the ruling Civil Contract faction noted that while the current law requires observer missions to maintain neutrality and impartiality, existing regulations do not adequately address violations of these principles.

The proposed amendment introduces a mechanism allowing the Central Electoral Commission to initiate proceedings and revoke the accreditation of any observer mission found to breach neutrality requirements.

The opposition Hayastan faction boycotted the session and walked out of the chamber.

During the session, MP Hovik Aghazaryan raised a question about whether such legal amendments should be enacted at least one year prior to elections, as may be required by law. Julhakyan responded that the bill does not change any rules of the game but simply clarifies an existing regulation.