Armenia's parliament has passed a new law raising the requirements for citizens living abroad to vote in national elections, following concerns over alleged efforts to influence last month's parliamentary vote through Armenian citizens residing in Russia.
The legislation, approved on Friday, changes the eligibility criteria for voting in regular elections. Under the new rules, Armenian citizens must have lived in Armenia for at least half of the previous two years, measured 48 days before election day, in order to cast a ballot. For snap elections, the qualification period will be calculated from 28 days before the vote.
The measure was introduced by lawmakers from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party after it secured victory in the June 7 election with 49.8% of the vote.
Supporters of the bill said the changes were intended to ensure that those participating in elections are familiar with conditions inside the country and understand the challenges facing Armenia.
The move comes after Reuters reported in May that Russia had intensified covert efforts aimed at weakening Pashinyan's bid for re-election amid concerns that he was steering Armenia closer to the West and away from its traditional ally, Russia.
According to Reuters, the alleged plan included transporting tens of thousands of Armenians living in Russia back to Armenia to influence the outcome of the election. The report cited interviews with five Western intelligence officials and documents reviewed by the news agency.
Moscow dismissed the allegations, describing them as "spymania", and in turn raised concerns about the conduct of the election, which saw Pashinyan defeat a largely pro-Russian opposition.
Armenia, a landlocked former Soviet republic with a population of roughly three million people, has a large diaspora community abroad. Russia says more than two million Armenians live and work there.
The new legislation has drawn criticism from some civil society groups.
A coalition of Armenian civil society organisations condemned the law as unconstitutional, arguing in an open letter that it "endangers democratic principles and violates the political rights of citizens".
The debate highlights broader political tensions over Armenia's future direction as the government pursues policies that critics say are redefining the country's relationship with Russia while strengthening ties with Western partners.
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