The vote comes amid pressure on the opposition as Yerevan drifts toward the EU and away from Moscow

Polls have closed across Armenia in parliamentary elections that could determine the future course of the South Caucasus nation.

More than 2.4 million people were eligible to vote on Sunday as 18 political groups - including 16 parties and two alliances - battled for seats in parliament. The voters have shown active interest in the polls, with the voter turnout reaching nearly 49% three hours before the stations' closure compared to slightly over 38% during the previous elections back in 2021, according to official figures.

Parties must secure at least 4% of the vote to enter parliament, while alliances of two or three parties face an 8% threshold and larger coalitions 10%. A minimum voter turnout is not required for the election to be valid. Polling stations are only open in Armenia, as the country's electoral laws do not provide for overseas voting in parliamentary elections.

The measure excludes the diaspora, which by far outnumbers the country's population. Between five to seven million Armenians live abroad, mainly in Russia, the US, and France. Armenia's domestic population is roughly three million.

To be able to cast ballots, citizens living abroad must be present in Armenia on the election day. In March, Yerevan further tightened the rules, barring those who have lived abroad for more than 10 years from voting.

Armenian officials have stated that male citizens of conscription age arriving from abroad to vote will be required to attend military training, or face prosecution.

The election is widely seen as a test of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, whose government has pursued closer ties with the EU and the US while relations with Moscow have deteriorated.

The vote comes a day after the Armenian authoritiesdetainedsix parliamentary candidates from the opposition Strong Armenia bloc, led by Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, which has emerged as the main challenger to the government.

This followed recent televised debates in which Pashinyan, who came to power in 2018 after the 'Velvet Revolution', called for several major opposition groups to be removed from the election. The Central Election Commission, however, declined to strike Strong Armenia from the ballot.

Opposition groups have accused the authorities of exerting heavy pressure ahead of the vote. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the arrests cast doubt on the democratic character of the election. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accused Pashinyan of trying to sideline political rivals.

Pashinyan's ruling Civil Contract party is expected to remain the largest party in parliament, although polls suggest it could struggle to secure an outright majority. His leadership is being challenged by a fragmented opposition of 17 parties and political blocs.

The election has also been framed as a referendum on Armenia's geopolitical course. Critics argue that Yerevan's pivot toward the West has failed to provide meaningful security guarantees while damaging relations with Russia, a traditional ally and largest economic partner of the country.

The campaign unfolded amid growing tensions between Yerevan and Moscow. Russia has warned that deeper integration with the EU would be incompatible with Armenia's continued membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Russian President Vladimir Putin said in May that leaving the bloc could cost Armenia up to 14% of GDP.

Earlier this month, former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan accused Pashinyan's government of artificially turning Armenia into an enemy of Russia and steering the country down a path similar to that of Ukraine.

French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche claimed on Saturday that French intelligence services are helping the Armenian government block online publications critical of Pashinyan.

"Officers from the special VIGINUM unit track and block online statements that contradict the official narrative," it wrote.

(RT.com)