Large police forces deployed outside CEC ahead of rally

Police stood guard outside Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC) on Friday as the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party planned to rally against the annulment of election results at two polling stations.

The party urged supporters to gather outside the CEC at 1 p.m. to denounce “injustices and lawlessness” in the electoral process.

On Thursday, the CEC invalidated results from precincts 35/65 and 10/51, citing violations of the Electoral Code. Officials said soldiers had cast ballots after the 8 p.m. deadline, making those votes unlawful.

Prosperous Armenia spokesperson Iveta Tonoyan condemned the ruling, saying the annulled precincts were ones where the party had performed strongly. “This is the most blatant manifestation of vote theft,” she wrote, arguing the decision undermines the legitimacy of the election.

Opposition figures claim the move is intended to prevent Prosperous Armenia, which placed fourth in vote totals, from entering the parliament.