ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT PASSED DRAFT ON AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO ELECTORAL CODE IN FIRST READING

Today in the first reading the National Assembly of Armenia passed the draft of amendments and supplement to the Electoral Code, drawn up by the ruling coalition and People’s Deputy group. The amendment provides for repeal of collection of signatures in favor presidential and deputy candidates, as well as parties and blocs. As before parties will have to overcome the 5% barrier in order to be elected, while blocs will have to collect over 7% of constituency votes. The preparation and running of the electoral rolls will be transferred from the jurisdiction of local authorities to the Police Passport and License Department. The rights of the proxies will be extended. It should be noted that the parliamentarians have not reached agreement over the ratio of proportional and majority voter places yet.