Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has ordered strict compliance with democratic principles ahead of local government elections, warning of a severe response to any violations.
In a Facebook video address, Pashinyan again addressed the upcoming local government elections and allegations that representatives of the ruling party were exerting pressure on opposition figures.
He said Armenia must prevent democracy from being exploited to establish an anti-democratic system, urging strict adherence to democratic rules.
The prime minister instructed officials to refrain from using administrative resources or exerting pressure during local elections, warning that violations would trigger a harsh response.
“I urge all of you not to deviate even a millimeter from the rules of democracy, freedom and legality. In fact, I am not urging you — I am instructing and ordering you. Do not deviate even a millimeter from the principles of democracy, legality and freedom. If there is any deviation, there will be a very harsh response, a disproportionately harsh response,” he said.
Pashinyan stated that any official who forces an employee to attend or refrain from attending election campaign gatherings or voting should be dismissed. He added that coercing someone to vote in a particular way carries criminal liability.
“If any official exerts pressure on a citizen, I learn about the incident, and it is substantiated by evidence, I pledge to publicly punish that official. There is a risk that such allegations may lack supporting evidence, but we cannot dismiss an official based on verbal, unsubstantiated accusations without verified facts,” Nikol Pashinyan added.
He also urged voters in the upcoming local elections not to support candidates or political forces that use administrative resources, threaten employees with dismissal, make promises to influence voters, or distribute or promise election bribes.
The prime minister emphasized that democracy is an unequivocal value for Armenia’s government.
Local government elections are scheduled for October 25 in Hrazdan, Artashat, Ijevan, Goris and several other communities.
