Member of the observation mission from the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Nikolai Arefev, who is also a member of the Russian State Duma, noted the aforementioned at a press conference on Monday.

In his words, the CIS observation mission carefully studied Armenia’s election law, which ensures public oversight.

“And we were convinced of this at the election precincts,” Arefev added. “We have not seen [any] observations of violation of the law.” 

As per the State Duma member, everything was calm.

“And the result which the referendum showed is probably the very result of the expression of free will by the Armenian people.”

Duma member Hovhannes Ohanyan, for his part, noted that there are no negative remarks to be made.

“Voting took place in a normal climate,” Ohanyan said. “And this truly allows people to express their viewpoints on the envisioned amendments.”

On Monday morning, Central Electoral Commission Chairman Tigran Mukuchyan announced that 825,851 people—or 63.35 percent of voters—said “yes,” whereas 421,600 people—or 32.35 percent—said “no” to the proposed amendments.

The referendum on Armenia’s constitutional amendments was conducted on Sunday.

Following the independence of Armenia in 1991, the Constitution was adopted on July 5, 1995, which is marked as Constitution Day.

The Constitution was amended in 2005, and the country switched from a presidential to a semi-presidential system of governance.

And pursuant to the currently proposed amendments, the country will make a transition from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system of governance, and conduct completely proportional parliamentary elections.