Amendments to Electoral Code approved by executive

The proposed amendments to the Electoral Code has been approved by the executive, agreeing to submit the package to the National Assembly for a further consideration.

Minister-Chief of Staff of the Government David Harutyunyan said he expects active political debates to finalize the document until June 1 (which is the assigned deadline),
Introducing the bill at the cabinet meeting on Thursday.

“We are announcing the round of political debates in parliament.

Two key novelties have been introduced to the Electoral Code. They propose, in particular, indirect voting procedures to elect the mayors of Gyumri and Vanadzor, as is the case with Yerevan.

That’s the first step, and I think the list will be expanded in future to increase the political forces’ role in the communities,” he said.

The other key reform, Gabrielyan added, is the proposal for electing the parliament through the 100% proportional representation system (ruling out the majority voting procedure).

“We have incorporated into the draft the OSCE/ODIHR’s remarks and proposals submitted after the recent two elections,” said the official.