Armenian rights advocate urges high voter turnout, criticizes opposition 'overconfidence'

Armenian lawyer and human rights advocate Varazdat Harutyunyan on Saturday criticized opposition forces for “criminal overconfidence” ahead of the upcoming elections, warning that similar attitudes were seen during the 2021 campaign.

“I have long had no expectations from any opposition force,” Harutyunyan wrote on Facebook. “The criminal overconfidence accompanying them throughout this election campaign is something we also witnessed in 2021.”

Harutyunyan said his main expectation rests with voters who are prepared to take responsibility by participating in large numbers on election day.

“As far as I can remember, these are the first nationwide elections in which the discourse around voter participation is being circulated so actively,” he wrote.

The lawyer added that calls for participation are being driven largely by civic, political and cultural figures, as well as ordinary citizens who have traditionally stayed away from elections.

“I am glad to be part of this ‘party,’” he wrote.

According to Harutyunyan, amid an increasingly abstract electoral contest, voter participation remains “the only invulnerable and legitimate position.”

“Dear friend, relative, neighbor — regardless of everything, please go to the polling station,” he added.