Over 20 violations reported in Vagharshapat campaign, mostly linked to ruling party

The Wings of Unity civic initiative monitoring the campaigning for the upcoming Vagharshapat municipal elections says it has documented more than 20 violations during the first 12 days, mostly involving the ruling Civil Contract party.

In a statement on Thursday, the group said it reviewed over 400 media reports between October 22 and November 2, identifying irregularities such as breaches of the ban on charitable activities, participation of state and municipal employees in campaign rallies and improper placement or destruction of campaign materials.

Some of the cases may constitute administrative or criminal offenses under Armenian law, it said.

The report also criticized the Armenian authorities’ campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church, citing criminal proceedings against relatives of Catholicos Karekin II as “politically motivated”.

The group warned that such actions could have a chilling effect on political participation and undermine democratic processes in the local elections, which are scheduled to take place in the community that hosts the Mother See of Etchmiadzin.