Armenia Adopts Electoral Amendments; Opposition Challenges Constitutionality

Armenia's National Assembly has passed amendments to the Electoral Code and Law on Referendums requiring voters to be physically present in the country for at least 366 days over a preceding 730-day period. The requirement, based on state border-crossing records, exempts diplomats, their families, and students studying abroad.

Opposition parties have challenged the amendments as unconstitutional, arguing they could significantly reduce eligible voters among labor migrants and citizens working abroad, particularly in Russia. They plan to petition the Constitutional Court.

The article also reports on ongoing appeal hearings for former Artsakh officials convicted by Azerbaijan, including ex-President Arkady Ghukasyan and ex-Foreign Minister David Babayan. Armenian officials and international organizations have raised concerns about due process and the political nature of the cases.