Head of Armenia's Central Electoral Commission presented amendments to the Electoral Code concerning elections
11.03.2026,
14:30
Vahagn Hovakimyan, Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia, presented new amendments to the Electoral Code concerning parliamentary elections.
YEREVAN, March 11. /ARKA/. Vahagn Hovakimyan, Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia, presented new amendments to the Electoral Code concerning parliamentary elections.
"The amendments, which came into force on February 7, 2026, specifically concern the electoral threshold for parties in parliamentary elections. For parties, it has been reduced to 4% (previously 5%). The threshold for party blocs has also been changed: for two-party blocs—8% (previously 7%), and for blocs of three or more parties—10%," Hovakimyan said at a press conference on Wednesday.
According to him, the size of the electoral deposit has also been changed to encourage consolidation and unification of political forces.
"For parties, the deposit has been reduced from 10 million drams to 7.5 million drams, and for party blocs, it has been set at 15 million drams," the CEC head noted.
Hovakimyan announced that the changes also affect the principle of forming coalitions in parliament after the elections.
"Previously, the law prohibited the formation of coalitions of more than three political forces. This ban has been lifted. The new regulations stipulate that the political force that receives the most votes has nine days to form a coalition. If it fails to form a coalition within the specified timeframe, the remaining political forces have the opportunity to form a so-called minority coalition," he explained.
The CEC head also announced an innovation concerning the institution of additional mandates (bonuses) and their distribution. While previously they allowed the winning political force to receive up to 54% of the mandates, this figure has now been reduced to 52%.
"Additional mandates may be granted exclusively to the political force with the most mandates, bringing its share to 52%," Hovakimyan said.
The next parliamentary elections in Armenia will be held on June 7, 2026.
"The amendments, which came into force on February 7, 2026, specifically concern the electoral threshold for parties in parliamentary elections. For parties, it has been reduced to 4% (previously 5%). The threshold for party blocs has also been changed: for two-party blocs—8% (previously 7%), and for blocs of three or more parties—10%," Hovakimyan said at a press conference on Wednesday.
According to him, the size of the electoral deposit has also been changed to encourage consolidation and unification of political forces.
"For parties, the deposit has been reduced from 10 million drams to 7.5 million drams, and for party blocs, it has been set at 15 million drams," the CEC head noted.
Hovakimyan announced that the changes also affect the principle of forming coalitions in parliament after the elections.
"Previously, the law prohibited the formation of coalitions of more than three political forces. This ban has been lifted. The new regulations stipulate that the political force that receives the most votes has nine days to form a coalition. If it fails to form a coalition within the specified timeframe, the remaining political forces have the opportunity to form a so-called minority coalition," he explained.
The CEC head also announced an innovation concerning the institution of additional mandates (bonuses) and their distribution. While previously they allowed the winning political force to receive up to 54% of the mandates, this figure has now been reduced to 52%.
"Additional mandates may be granted exclusively to the political force with the most mandates, bringing its share to 52%," Hovakimyan said.
The next parliamentary elections in Armenia will be held on June 7, 2026.
