YEREVAN -- Polls have opened as Armenians vote in a test of the prime minister’s support following a controversial peace deal with neighboring Azerbaijan and his efforts to pull the small South Caucasus nation closer to the West after decades of reliance on Russia.The Interior Ministry said 2.49 million people were registered to cast ballots for 18 political groupings at 2,005 polling stations in the June 7 parliamentary election, with Prime Minister’s Nikol Pashinian’s Civil Contract holding the lead in prevote polls over a number of pro-Russia parties.Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and are slated to close at 8 p.m. Some 400 international observers are authorized to monitor the vote. The Central Electoral Commission said preliminary results will be released within 24 hours of polls closing and final results are to be announced on June 14.Yerevan's ties with Moscow have emerged as a major electoral issue, especially following Russia's decision to impose restrictions on Armenian exports in recent weeks in response to its further drift to the West.Polls suggest Civil Contract has the support of 24-32 percent of the electorate, while pro-Russia Strong Armenia has some 6-11 percent backing, putting it second place.
Armenians Vote With Nation's Future Focus -- East Or West -- On The Line
Armenians are voting on June 7 in a test of the prime minister’s support following a controversial peace effort with neighboring Azerbaijan and his efforts to pull the small South Caucasus nation closer to the West after decades of reliance on Russia.
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