The Armenian Electoral Commission declared the participation of teachers and schoolchildren in election campaigning a violation.

Involving public sector employees and schoolchildren in election campaigning is contrary to Armenia's Electoral Code, the Election Commission reminded. Ruling party representatives distanced themselves from the incident in the Aragatsotn region, but observers and the teachers themselves confirmed the violation.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," teachers and students from three schools in the Aparan community of the Aragatsotn region today, instead of attending classes, participated in election campaigning for the ruling Civil Contract party. Employees of the House of Culture and school cleaners were also brought in during their working hours to support the authorities.

The Central Election Commission and the Ministry of Education responded to the incident

The Central Election Commission of Armenia called on political forces to conduct election campaigning within the framework of the Electoral Code, Novosti-Armenia reported today.

The commission reminded that the use of administrative resources by persons in public service, employees of medical organizations, educational institutions, and preschool educational institutions in the performance of their duties is prohibited during election campaigning.

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (MECS) announced an investigation into cases of schools participating in the election campaign registered in the Aragatsotn region, Armenpress reports.

The ministry is also forwarding all reports to law enforcement agencies Authorities

"The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia is receiving reports of violations of the ban on campaigning in educational institutions during working and school hours by school teachers, staff, and students. One such case was registered today, May 13, in the town of Aparan. A number of teachers and students from educational institutions in the villages of Aragats and Kuchak participated in political campaigning during working hours. The Ministry, together with the relevant authorized body, will launch a separate investigation to clarify the details of the case and apply the measures provided by law. The Ministry is also forwarding all reports to law enforcement agencies in accordance with the established investigation procedure," the publication quoted the ministry as saying.

A Cabinet representative denies the ruling party's involvement in the scandalous story

The ruling party has nothing to do with involving teachers and students in campaigning, Economy Minister Gevorg, who is on vacation, told News.am today. Papoyan.

If it turns out we had anything to do with this, I will apologize.

He assured that the ruling party has no problem ensuring citizen participation in campaigning, and it is not connected to the incident in the Aragatsotn region. "If it turns out we had anything to do with this, I will apologize," the minister added.

Papoyan urged teachers and students to attend classes during class. "Perhaps they came after classes ended, or perhaps they don't have classes at the moment. "I don't know," he noted.

Teachers Admit to Shortening Classes to Participate in Campaigning

Teachers from a school in the village of Berkarat in the Aragatsotn region reported today that they were transported in Gazelles to Aparan for the ruling party's campaigning. Two of them said they shortened classes "in Pashinyan's name" to participate in the campaigning.

One of the teachers, Varditer Grigoryan, stated that all the teachers and the school's principal, Anna Vardanyan, expressed a desire to participate in the campaigning, and the students were sent home. She added that she doesn't see anything wrong with this and noted that they had prepared for this day in advance, the publication writes.

Observers confirmed violations in the Aragatsotn region

The "Ochevidets" observation mission reported to the publication that cases of abuse of administrative resources, violations of the ban on political activity in public educational institutions, and the involvement of minors in the campaign were confirmed in the Aparan community today.

According to the mission, observers on the ground recorded that directors and teachers of several schools in the community and nearby settlements participated in the event in an organized manner during working hours and classes.

Schoolchildren were taken out of class to meet the prime minister and participate in the campaign event.

"What is particularly concerning is that, on the direct orders of teachers and administration, Schoolchildren were pulled out of classes to meet the Prime Minister and participate in a campaign event. Children were given flags. Furthermore, the students were given mandatory instructions in advance, even regarding their appearance, clothing, and hairstyle. Girls, in particular, were advised to wear pigtails," the mission reported.

A high-ranking official coordinated the child campaigners.

According to Ochevidets, observers personally witnessed school principals and teachers issuing orders over the phone, demanding mandatory and organized participation. The principal of one school not only excused students from classes to participate in the rally but also distributed T-shirts to the children bearing symbols associated with the ruling Civil Contract party and its political campaigning.

According to the mission, the gathering of children and staff was organized by a high-ranking local official. He coordinated people on site, personally met the children, distributed campaign flags, and gave instructions on who should be where during the event.

"Such abuse of power and official position by a person holding a public position, as well as school administration, is subject to strict legal assessment," the publication quotes the observation mission's position.

As a reminder, the election campaign period officially began on May 8, but in fact, election banners and portraits of political leaders appeared on the streets of cities and villages more than a month before that date. The Central Election Commission of Armenia clarified that placing outdoor advertising for political forces outside the official campaign period does not constitute a violation.

The Armenian parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 7. Seventeen parties and two blocs have been admitted to the elections. Samvel Karapetyan's "Strong Armenia," along with Robert Kocharyan's "Armenia" bloc and Gagik Tsarukyan's "Prosperous Armenia" party, is one of the most pro-Russian parties in the Armenian parliamentary elections. The Kremlin is backing Karapetyan, but he is legally ineligible to participate, Armenian political scientists previously noted. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report titled "2026 Elections to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia."