Armenian PM wins snap election as rival alleges fraud - The Guardian

The party of Armenia’s prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, has won 53.9% of the vote in snap parliamentary polls called in an effort to defuse a political crisis after a war with Azerbaijan, official results show.

The vote has been seen as a two-horse race, with both Pashinyan, 46, and Kocharyan, 66, drawing massive crowds in the run-up to the polls.

“The people of Armenia gave our Civil Contract party a mandate to lead the country and personally me to lead the country as prime minister,” Pashinyan announced early on Monday.

Despite stifling heat, nearly 50% of about 2.6 million eligible voters cast their ballots, election officials said.

During a campaign marred by polarising rhetoric, Pashinyan had said he expected his party to secure 60% of the vote.

Election officials said the vote was conducted in accordance with Armenia’s legislation.