Observers report voting irregularities four hours into Armenia’s elections

Independent observer missions reported multiple violations across polling stations four hours into Armenia’s parliamentary elections on Sunday, raising concerns about voter intimidation and ballot secrecy.

The Fair Vote mission said its monitors in Lori Province’s Gyulagarak community were obstructed and pressured by a party proxy, who allegedly directed voters and then threatened to have the observer removed after the issue was raised. The local precinct chair failed to intervene effectively, and the situation escalated into a shouting match.

The HayaKve mission reported irregularities at several sites, including military police stationed within 50 meters of a polling place reserved for soldiers, in violation of election rules. At another precinct, a citizen found their signature already marked on the voter list before casting a ballot.

The Witness mission documented five serious incidents. At one precinct, the chair refused to record an observer’s complaint about risks to ballot secrecy due to the placement of voting booths. In another, the layout of the polling station near restrooms was said to compromise privacy. One polling center opened late due to the chair’s absence, while another had unsecured curtains behind voting booths. Observers also reported a ballot box safe left open before voting began.