Opposition slams name ban as political pressure

PanARMENIAN.Net - Alik Aleksanyan, a member of the Strong Armenia party council, stated that the authorities are attempting to change the Electoral Code to ban the use of Samvel Karapetyan’s name in political alliances.

Speaking at a briefing, he argued that the move reflects a climate of fear within the ruling camp.

“This shows that the authorities have long been living in fear. For months they were literally fighting against Samvel Karapetyan’s image, and now they are fighting against his name,” he said, according to Aysor.am.

Aleksanyan also claimed that the authorities have tried to influence public opinion through various means.

“Pashinyan is trying to scare the people with everything—war, unlawful detentions. Anyone who says something critical or takes action is detained,” he added.

Lawyer Aram Vardevanyan, speaking outside the National Assembly, also criticized the proposed amendments, describing them as a manifestation of fear.

“This is a primitive display of fear,” he said, according to Panorama.am.

He questioned whether a confident government would rush to amend the Electoral Code just days after a political force announced its participation in elections.

“These are actions of a frightened, even very frightened government,” Vardevanyan said.

He recalled that authorities had previously acted against the distribution of Karapetyan’s images, calling the situation unprecedented.

“Fighting against a name is truly something new. I cannot imagine a European country changing election rules hours before document submission,” he added.

Human rights defender and Strong Armenia member Gohar Meloyan also criticized the initiative, saying it threatens Armenia’s legal foundations, according to Sputnik Armenia.

She noted that the alliance Strong Armenia with Samvel Karapetyan had already begun formal procedures with the Central Electoral Commission before the proposed changes.

Meloyan stressed that such amendments contradict both domestic and international standards, including principles set by the Venice Commission, particularly the requirement of equal conditions for all participants.

She also emphasized the lack of public consultations and expert discussions.

“According to international obligations, such legislative changes require public hearings and professional input. The Venice Commission clearly states that substantive changes to electoral processes should not be made right before elections,” she said.

Parliamentary elections in Armenia are scheduled for June 7, 2026.