The National Assembly (NA) of Armenia on Tuesday voted against putting on its agenda the controversial draft amendment—authored by ruling force MP Hayk Sargsyan—to the Law On Military Service and the Status of a Serviceman.

It received 87 votes against, 0 in favor. Sargsyan also voted against putting this bill on the NA agenda.

This proposed law provides that one can pay 18 million drams (approx. US$47,000) and serve for four months, or pay 24 million drams (approx. US$62,500) and serve for one month—instead of the regular 24 months—in the Armenian military. In addition, it is stipulated that in the event of renunciation of Armenian citizenship by male children before the military draft age, the respective state duty shall be 15 million drams (approx. US$39,000).