The National Assembly (NA) of Armenia on Monday began its special session.

Draft amendments to the Electoral Code as well as a package of related bills are on the agenda.

These amendments specify that, from now on, the NA elections shall be conducted solely with closed (unchangeable) electoral lists and no longer with the “rating” election system too. In addition, the threshold for passage to the NA will drop by one percent, each, and be set at 4 percent for political parties and 6 percent for blocs. Also, at least four political forces shall have seats in parliament.

Earlier, President Gianni Buquicchio of the Venice Commission had issued a statement lauding these proposed amendments to Armenia’s election law.