Observers recorded violations at the elections in Armenia

The voter turnout in the local elections in Armenia was 42.48% according to the preliminary results of the voting announced on December 6, the CEC informed. The observation mission "Independent Observer" noted cases of violation of the secrecy of the vote and the presence of pre-election advertising at polling stations.

984 polling stations opened for voting in elections in 38 communities, the Central Election Commission of Armenia reported.

According to the Central Election Commission of Armenia, elections in 36 communities held on a proportional basis, and in two rural communities - on a majoritarian electoral system.

Elections under the proportional system held in the communities of Ashtarak, Aparan, Talin - in Aragatsotn region, Masis, Artashat, Ararat, Vedi - in Ararat region, Araks, Vagharshapat, Parakar, Khoy, Metsamor, Armavir, Baghramyan (Armavir region), Gavar, Sevan , Martuni, Vardenis - in Gegharkunik region, Vanadzor, Spitak, Tumanyan, Pambak - in Lori region, Abovyan, Garni, Tsakhkadzor, Hrazdan, Nairi, Nor-Achin - in Kotayk region, Artik, Amasia, Ashotsk, Akhuryan - in Shirak region , Yeghegnadzor, Jermuk, Vayk - in Vayots Dzor region and Noyemberyan - in Tavush region, according to a statement on the official website of the Central Election Commission of Armenia.

According to parts 4 and 5 of Article 104.1 of the Electoral Code of Armenia, in communities with less than 4,000 voters, elections are held according to the majority system, and in communities with more than 4,000 voters, according to the proportional system. In communities of more than 4,000 voters - according to a proportional system – they elect the members of the Council of Elders, which, based on the results of the elections, forms the local government. According to part 6 of Article 104.1 of the EC of Armenia, the number of mandates to the Council of Elders depends on the number of voters in the community. Thus, in a community in which the number of voters does not exceed 1000, the Council of Elders consists of five members. From 1001 to 2000 - out of seven, from 2001 to 4000 - out of nine, from 4001 to 10,000 - 15, from 10,001 to 25,000 - 21, from 25,001 to 70,000 - 27, from 70,001 to 300,000 - 33, and over 300,000 - 65.

The Council of Elders of eight communities consists of 15, nine communities of 21, 17 communities of 27, two communities have 33 deputies, and another five deputies were elected to the Council of Elders of two rural communities. The total number of voters eligible to vote in local elections, according to the CEC, is 1,128,787.

47 parties and blocs submitted applications for participation in the elections of the Council of Elders of 36 communities, in 130 lists of which 4384 candidates were included. The court removed one of the political groups with 26 candidates from the election race, another 156 candidates from 33 parties and blocs withdrew their documents or were denied registration. A total of 4,202 candidates from 46 parties and blocs were admitted to the elections. 746 candidates, according to the CEC, are non-partisan.

Among the 46 political forces there are 22 blocs, which include 23 parties, including the Republican Party of Armenia, Fatherland, and ARF Dashnaktsutyun, represented in the parliamentary factions “Armenia” and “I Have Honor.” Among the candidates there are 2,832 men and 1,370 women. Out of 129 electoral lists of 46 political forces, only three lists, including one from the ruling party, are headed by women, the Central Election Commission said.

The ruling Civil Contract party has nominated candidates in all communities, except for the city of Sevan. In one community, in Armavir only the ruling Civil Contract party will take part in the elections. In eight communities, the struggle will unfold between two political forces, in another 13 communities, three political forces competed for the mandates of the Council of Elders. In five communities, four parties and blocs will fight for municipal power, in another eight communities, five and six parties and blocs vie for election, and in one community, Vanadzor, 10 parties and blocs joined the election.

In accordance with the law, all political forces that have applied to participate in the elections elected to the Council of Elders of 21 communities. To win in Armavir, where voters had to vote for the ruling party, to win it is necessary to get more than half of the votes of voters who took part in the elections.

Opposition won elections in Vanadzor

In the elections to the Vanadzor Council of Elders, the largest number of voters voted for the opposition bloc of the incumbent mayor, who was ahead of the ruling party by 13.65% of the vote, the CEC of Armenia reported.

On December 5, voting took place in local elections in Armenia: in 36 communities, elections were held according to a proportional electoral system, and in two rural communities - according to a majoritarian system. In Vanadzor, according to the CEC, 36.01% of voters (33,199 out of 91,182) voted.

According to ballots from all 63 polling stations in Vanadzor, the opposition bloc "Mamikon Aslanyan" won. 38.71% of voters (12,810) voted for him. 25.06% of voters (8295) voted for the ruling Civil Contract party in the city.

The Labour Socialist Party of Armenia also entered the Vanadzor Council of Elders with 14.53% of voters (4809) voting for it.

The remaining seven political forces did not enter the Council of Elders: the Rodina party received 4.48% of the vote (1483), the Country for Life party - 4.29% (1420), the Bright Armenia party - 3.96% (1313), Prosperous Armenia Party - 2.97% (984), Republic Party - 2.64% (874), Alliance Party - 2.06% (683), Communist Party of Armenia – 1% (419), according to the publication.

Opposition candidates gain majority of votes in 12 Armenian communities

In 12 out of 38 communities where voting in local elections took place, the largest number of votes was gained by representatives of the opposition, announced the preliminary results of voting by the Central Election Commission of Armenia.

On December 5, voting took place in local elections in Armenia: in 36 communities, elections were held according to a proportional electoral system, and in two rural communities - according to a majoritarian system. In the elections to the Vanadzor Council of Elders, the largest number of voters (38.71%) voted for the opposition bloc of the incumbent mayor Mamikon Aslanyan, while the ruling Civil Contract party won 25.06% of the votes, the Central Election Commission of Armenia reported.