10:32, 16 May 2026

An opposition figure demanded an investigation into the involvement of Armenian students in a pro-government protest.

College students in Armavir were forced to participate in a pre-election event in the interests of Armenia's ruling party, an opposition representative stated.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on May 14, former Armenian Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan, who heads the candidate list for the Wings of Unity party, stated that the authorities are exerting pressure on voters. Specifically, according to him, inspectors checking water meters are holding lists in hand and demonstratively asking local residents who they will vote for.

The Central Election Commission of Armenia has registered all 19 political forces that applied to participate in the parliamentary elections. On May 14, the electoral commission annulled the registration of 45 candidates who had filed statements of self-withdrawal. Among them were candidates included on the lists of "Wings of Unity" and "Enlightened Armenia."

Nikol Pashinyan. Illustration created by

17:09 15.05.2026

Pashinyan's rivals have not gotten any closer to overcoming disunity in a month Opposition

The opposition's fragmentation has not diminished over the past month, amid the onset of the campaign and increased pressure. The main opposition parties are vying for votes and political leadership. Representatives of the Strong Armenia party and the Armenia bloc emphasized the importance of the country's partnership with Russia, but also emphasized the importance of an independent policy.

Students are being forced to participate in the ruling party's campaign, stated Arman Tatoyan. According to him, in Armavir, a college professor and member of the Civil Contract party demanded that students participate in campaigning for the ruling party, News.am reports.

During the press conference, Tatoyan played an audio recording in which the woman can be heard stating that she was "assigned, and she's assigning" the students.

"So that it doesn't happen that I go, stand in the square, and see that no one from my two groups is there. This is necessary so that I can look the management in the eye, and you can look me in the eye. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the concert and have a good time. The instructions were for as many people as possible to attend, and it was stated that everyone's presence is mandatory. There's no need to politicize what's happening or write unnecessary things." "It was said – then we're going to the square," the publication quotes the woman's words from the audio recording.

Tatoyan emphasized that a crime report has been filed regarding this, the publication writes.

According to Tatoyan, the recording indicates the existence of a "large criminal scheme" aimed at forcing citizens to participate in events of the ruling political party, as well as "open abuse of state resources," Aysor.am reports.

"This recording means that the heads and employees of educational institutions are directly involved in the criminal process," the publication quotes the former ombudsman.

Armenian parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 7. Seventeen parties and two blocs have been admitted. Samvel Karapetyan's "Strong Armenia," along with Robert Kocharyan's "Armenia" bloc and Gagik Tsarukyan's "Prosperous Armenia" party, is one of the most pro-Russian parties in the Armenian parliamentary elections. The Kremlin is backing Karapetyan, but he is legally ineligible to participate, Armenian political scientists previously noted. Tatoyan's statement continues a series of accusations of abuse of administrative resources. As a reminder, on May 13, teachers and students from schools in the Aragatsotn region took part in the ruling party's election campaigning instead of attending classes. During their working hours, employees of the House of Culture and school cleaners were also recruited to support the authorities.

Involving public sector employees and schoolchildren in election campaigning contradicts the Electoral Code, the Electoral Commission reminded. Ruling party representatives distanced themselves from the incident in the Aragatsotn region, but observers and the teachers themselves confirmed the violation.

If it turns out that the teachers and children attended the pre-election meeting under duress, a "legal assessment" will follow, said Arayik Harutyunyan, head of the Civil Contract party's campaign headquarters.

Armenian resident detained for writing on poster ruling party

Armenian authorities are using administrative resources to attract large crowds to their meetings, political scientist Gagik Ambaryan previously reported. Specifically, according to him, in Gyumri, where a concert was held, many spectators were civil servants and their family members, who had received orders to be in the square and support the Civil Contract party. According to the opposition, Armenian authorities are also pressuring civil servants who sympathize with the opposition.

The election campaign period officially began on May 8, but in fact, election banners and portraits of political leaders appeared on the streets of cities and villages more than a month before that date. The Central Election Commission of Armenia clarified that placing outdoor advertising for political parties outside the official campaign period is not a violation.

The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report "2026 Elections to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia".

Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/423285