Armenia wants to toughen punishment for bribing voters
Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan, together with deputies from the ruling "Civil Contract" faction in the country, initiated legislative changes toughening the punishment for bribing voters.
"I and deputies Arusyak Julhakyan, Alkhaz Kazaryan and Vahagn Aleksanyan are introducing a new legislative initiative that will change the previous punishment for giving an electoral bribe. The previous punishment of up to 8 years in prison for giving an electoral bribe will be replaced with up to 10 years of imprisonment. And the previously provided 7 years of imprisonment for accepting an electoral bribe will be replaced with up to 9 years of imprisonment," the speaker of the Armenian Parliament said in his Telegram channel, according to Armenian media.
Simonyan noted that this will make those who, for monetary rewards or other benefits, put the statehood, independence of the country and the fact of independent decision-making at risk think twice. He added that he "does not envy those" who have already become involved in such processes.
The next parliamentary elections in Armenia will be held on June 7. Nineteen political forces have submitted applications to the Central Election Commission of Armenia to participate in them. According to the list, 17 parties and two party blocs will take part in the elections.
According to the Central Election Commission, the "Civil Contract" party headed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, as well as two blocs — "Armenia" headed by former President of the country Robert Kocharyan and "Strong Armenia" headed by Narek Karapetyan — will participate in the elections.
The "Strong Armenia" bloc established by businessman Samvel Karapetyan includes the parties "Strong Armenia," "New Era" and "United Armenians."
