Polling stations have opened in Armenia.

2,005 polling stations have opened in Armenia for the National Assembly elections.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," voting in the Armenian parliamentary elections is scheduled for today. The most pro-Russian candidates are the "Strong Armenia" bloc of businessman Samvel Karapetyan, the "Armenia" bloc of former President Robert Kocharyan, and the "Prosperous Armenia" party of oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan. According to analysts, the parties of Samvel Karapetyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Robert Kocharyan will become key competitors in the elections.

At 8:00 a.m. local time (7:00 a.m. Moscow time), 2,005 polling stations opened in Armenia and voting began in the elections to the 9th convocation of the National Assembly, reports "Novosti-Armenia."

According to the law, Armenian citizens abroad will not be able to vote in the elections. The exceptions are the heads and employees of Armenian diplomatic missions abroad, military personnel on long-term assignments or training abroad, and their family members.

Voting will end at 8:00 PM local time (7:00 PM Moscow time), after which the vote counting will begin at election commissions. The Central Election Commission will summarize the preliminary results by 8:00 PM (7:00 PM Moscow time) on June 8, the publication writes.

The Armenian Parliament is elected by a proportional system, meaning only party lists. Eighteen political forces – 16 parties and two blocs of parties – are vying for seats. The barrier to entering parliament for parties is 4%, and for blocs of parties, 8%, News.am reports.

As a reminder, 2,485,851 people are included in the voter lists, including 5,239 police officers who have been sent to polling stations. The Migration and Civil Service departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will accept applications for inclusion in additional lists on election day.

Russian pressure creates uncertainty ahead of Armenian elections

Amid preparations for the elections, Armenian authorities have increased pressure on opposition supporters. On June 4, the Investigative Committee reported on the criminal prosecution of 37 individuals involved in the case of the previously arrested Alik Aleksanyan. Aleksanyan is suspected of money laundering and bribing Armenian citizens for the political benefit of businessman Samvel Karapetyan.

In late May and early June, security forces conducted searches at the offices of the Strong Armenia and Prosperous Armenia parties and detained at least 15 individuals. Opposition representatives declared the authorities' abuse of administrative resources and pressure.

At the same time, Russia's recent political steps, which have increased political and economic pressure on Armenia, have strengthened the convictions of both pro-Russian and pro-Western voters.