Elections in Armenia

Armenia operates under a semi-presidential system of government and holds elections to determine its political representatives. Here is some information about the election system in Armenia:

1. Presidential Elections: The President of Armenia is elected through a direct popular vote. Presidential elections occur every five years. To win in the first round, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the valid votes. If no candidate achieves this majority, a second round is held between the top two candidates, and the candidate who receives the most votes is declared the winner.
2. National Assembly Elections: The National Assembly of Armenia is the country’s legislative body. It has 132 seats, with 131 seats determined through a proportional representation system and one seat reserved for representatives of ethnic minorities. Political parties or alliances must pass a minimum threshold (currently 5%) of the nationwide vote to enter the National Assembly. The allocation of seats follows the D’Hondt method.
3. Electoral Process: The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) is responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in Armenia. It ensures the transparency and integrity of the electoral process, including voter registration, candidate nomination, and the counting of votes. International observers are often invited to monitor the elections and assess their fairness.
4. Voter Eligibility: Armenian citizens who are at least 18 years old have the right to vote. Voter registration is required, and citizens must be included in the electoral roll to participate in elections. Eligible voters can cast their ballots at designated polling stations.
5. Election Results: The presidential candidate who receives the majority of valid votes in the first or second round is declared the winner and assumes the presidency. In National Assembly elections, seats are allocated to parties based on the proportion of votes they receive. The party or coalition that secures the majority of seats forms the government, and the Prime Minister is appointed by the President.