Parliament passes election, mortgage reforms

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia's outgoing eighth-convocation National Assembly has approved a package of legislative amendments backed by the ruling Civil Contract faction.

One of the adopted bills amends the Electoral Code and the law on referendums, granting voting rights to Armenian citizens who have been physically present in the country for at least 366 days during the preceding 730-day period. For snap parliamentary elections, the calculation will be based on the 28th day before the vote instead of the 48th.

Parliament also approved amendments to its rules of procedure, introducing a new oath for incoming lawmakers.

Under the revised wording, the phrase referring to “national goals and strengthening the homeland” has been replaced with “strengthening the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia.” The oath will conclude with the words: “Glory to the fallen heroes, and long live the Republic of Armenia,” Sputnik Armenia reports.

Another approved measure requires state flags to be installed at the entrances to all populated areas in Armenia. The bill was introduced by Civil Contract lawmaker Alkhas Ghazaryan and Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan.

Lawmakers also adopted amendments increasing excise taxes on tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, diesel fuel and gasoline. The package was approved in its second reading with 63 votes in favor.

Under the changes previously endorsed by the government, excise duties on tobacco products will rise by 7% annually, while rates for heated tobacco, electronic cigarettes and hookah products will increase according to separate multi-year schedules. At the same time, the excise tax on fruit spirits will be reduced by 33% to support domestic producers and offset higher production costs.

Parliament also approved amendments to the Criminal Code imposing tougher penalties for offering or accepting election bribes.

The prison term for accepting an election bribe has been increased from one to three years to two to five years, while the penalty for offering a bribe has risen from three to six years to four to eight years. Violations of the ban on charitable activities during election campaigns will now also carry prison terms of four to eight years, instead of the previous three to six years.

In addition, individuals convicted of mediating election bribes will face a lifetime ban on holding state or municipal office.

Lawmakers also passed legislation introducing reverse mortgages, allowing pensioners to receive income by using their homes as collateral while continuing to live in them. The law will take effect on January 1, 2027.