About 400,000 people emigrated from Armenia, whereas the voters’ number increased by 235,000
400,000 people emigrated from Armenia in 2008-2017. At the same time, the number of voters in the reporting period increased by 235,503. Based on the aforesaid data, mass media concluded as follows: only the children under 18 left Armenia during that period.
The recent reports that there are 2million 564 thousand 334 voters registered in the country, while according to the National Statistical Service (NSS), the number of permanent residents totals 2million 993thousand 900 people, have been widely discussed in Armenian press. In other words, the electorate makes 85% of the population, while there are 65% of residents eligible to vote worldwide.
In response to the aforesaid publications, police provided the explanations as follows: the electoral register is formed based on the National Population Register (NPR), whereas the National Statistical Service data on population number don’t include the data on those who have been away from the country for more than 1 year. If they are included in the statistics, the figures will change.
“Being an authorized agency in charge of maintaining National Population Register and electoral register, the police are not entitled to remove from the electoral list the citizens, who are registered in certain communities but are currently staying abroad,” reads the official report.
In order to be removed from the voters’ list, an individual permanently residing abroad should provide information on his/her new address to the Consular Service. The latter will forward it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and only afterwards this data will get to the police.
