The pre-election contest is intense, but the problems recorded so far have been mainly technical in nature, according to Vahagn Hovakimyan, chairman of Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC).

Speaking to Armenpress, he said the CEC’s activities during the campaign period have focused on two main areas: organizing the elections and responding to issues and shortcomings that arise during the campaign.

“Eighteen political forces are participating in the campaign. All of them are actively using campaign tools, the rhetoric is quite sharp, and the contest is heated. However, under these conditions, the problems recorded have been mainly technical in nature,” the CEC chairman said.

According to Hovakimyan, the most frequently recorded violations involved campaign posters being placed in locations not designated for that purpose. He noted that compared with previous election cycles, the number of such cases has decreased, although they continue to occur.

Addressing discussions about the alleged misuse of administrative resources, Hovakimyan explained that under the Electoral Code, such misuse occurs when a state or municipal official uses official powers for campaign purposes or exerts influence on subordinates by involving them in political events.

“If a state or municipal employee attends a campaign event during working hours on their own initiative, this is not considered misuse of administrative resources but rather a failure to fulfill work duties, which should be assessed by that employee’s supervisor,” he said.

He emphasized that complaints concerning possible misuse of administrative resources are immediately forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for legal assessment.

According to Hovakimyan, around 80 percent of the applications received by the CEC during the campaign concerned voter lists and the correction of registration data. About two dozen complaints directly related to electoral processes mainly involved possible use of administrative resources, campaign activities, or the work of observer missions.

Summarizing the preparatory phase, the CEC chairman stated that the electoral system is fully prepared for the June 7 vote.

“Training for precinct election commission members and management personnel has been completed. All equipment and materials required for polling stations have been supplied. Delivery of ballot papers and envelopes has already begun,” Hovakimyan said, adding that the CEC is currently operating around the clock.

Discussing the upcoming parliamentary elections, he highlighted the strong interest shown by international organizations and diplomatic missions.

“I do not recall any election that attracted this much interest from international organizations and diplomatic missions. Nearly all embassies accredited in Armenia will have accredited visitors on election day,” the CEC chairman said.

The election campaign, which began on May 8, will continue through June 5. June 6 will be a day of silence, and parliamentary elections will be held on June 7. On May 25, the Alliance Progressive Centrist Party submitted a withdrawal request, after which the CEC invalidated the registration of the party’s electoral list. As a result, there will be no ballot paper numbered 13 in the upcoming election.