Artsakh Armenians may vote in 2026 elections if they hold citizenship, politician says

Armenians displaced from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) will be able to participate in Armenia’s 2026 parliamentary elections if they have obtained Armenian citizenship, while the voting rights of those who have not remain uncertain, according to an Artsakh political figure.

Hakob Hakobyan, co-founder of Artsakh’s Justice Party, told Panorama.am that the issue of voting rights for displaced Artsakh Armenians is likely to be discussed closer to election day.

“Many Artsakh Armenians have obtained what Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan calls ‘citizenship’ under pressure from his government, although we believe that even in the Artsakh Republic people were already citizens of Armenia,” Hakobyan said.

He added that those who have already obtained Armenian citizenship will “definitely” be able to take part in the elections.

“As for those who have not yet formalized their citizenship again, I believe the issue will be raised ahead of the elections, but I cannot say what decision will ultimately be made,” Hakobyan noted.

According to him, many displaced Artsakh Armenians are applying for Armenian citizenship in order to gain access to social benefits, housing programs and employment opportunities.

“An artificial requirement was imposed to reconfirm citizenship. People had to go through numerous bureaucratic hurdles to do so,” he said.

Hakobyan stated that he does not have precise data on how many Artsakh Armenians currently remain in Armenia or how many have left the country, but estimated that a significant number have emigrated.

“Unfortunately, many Artsakh Armenians have left Armenia,” he said, attributing this trend to government policies, including what he described as inadequate social support programs.

“These policies make it impossible for forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians to adapt in the Armenian part of their homeland, forcing them to leave once again,” Hakobyan said, adding that between 15,000 and 20,000 Artsakh Armenians may have left Armenia.

Armenia is expected to hold parliamentary elections in 2026.