YEREVAN. – Armenian elections do not really differ from those in Canada, observer from Transparency International organization Oscar Alvarado told Armenian News – NEWS.am.

According to him, the only difference is that the Canadian voters make their choice in one ballot paper, where the names of all candidates are mentioned.

 It is the second time when Oscar Alvarado is monitoring Armenian elections. He has not noticed any serious violations so far, there were only minor problems with the fingerprint reader and with the camera in the hall.

“In general, the entire process seemed a bit unorganized, in particular, election precinct was sometimes overcrowded and one of the voters cast his ballot outside the polling booth,” the observer noted.

Armenia is holding a parliamentary election for the first time since new Constitution was approved through a referendum in December 2015. The new National Assembly will have 105 deputies, four of whom—representatives of ethnic minorities.

A total of 2,009 election precincts are open all through the country. This voting will be the only national one in the next five years, as Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary republic.

Five political parties and four blocs are running for parliament. Political parties have to get five percent of votes, whereas the blocs need seven percent to be elected to the National Assembly of Armenia.