New Armenian Law Could Block Citizens Living Abroad From Voting

Armenia’s Constitutional Court will review a new law that could prevent citizens who spend extended periods outside the country from voting in parliamentary elections and referendums.

The case challenges legislation passed by the National Assembly on July 3 that requires citizens to have spent at least 366 days in Armenia during the previous two years to be eligible to vote.

Under the new rules, an Armenian citizen who has been outside the country for more than half of that period would not be able to vote, even if they return to Armenia for Election Day.

The changes could have particular consequences for Armenian citizens living abroad. Unlike citizens of many countries, most Armenians overseas cannot vote at embassies or consulates in national elections and must return to Armenia to cast a ballot.

The legislation also sets deadlines for returning to the country. To vote in a regularly scheduled election, a citizen must return to Armenia at least 48 days before Election Day. For a snap election, the deadline is 28 days.

The government-backed changes were adopted in their second and final reading on July 3. Supporters said the restrictions were intended to prevent large numbers of citizens who live abroad from traveling to Armenia solely to vote.

Opposition lawmakers from the eighth National Assembly challenged the measure before the Constitutional Court, asking the court to determine whether restricting voting rights based on a citizen’s physical presence in the country is constitutional.

The case was brought by at least one-fifth of the National Assembly’s members, the threshold required for lawmakers to seek a constitutional review.

According to a Sept. 10 procedural decision, the Constitutional Court will consider the case on Dec. 22 through a written procedure, meaning the court will examine the case without an oral hearing.

Justice Artur Vagharshyan has been assigned as the reporting judge. The National Assembly is the respondent in the case.

The court’s ruling will determine whether the new residency requirement can remain in effect for future parliamentary elections and referendums.

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