Armenia observes "Day of Silence" ahead of parliamentary vote

Armenian political parties and party blocs running for the April 2 parliamentary elections are required by the country's Electoral Code to refrain from campaigning on the day preceding the vote and on the election day as well.

Dubbed as the "Day of Silence," Saturday saw the end to the almost month-long campaigning by five political parties and four blocs for what is going to be the first national vote following the constitutional amendments in 2015, which will transform the ex-Soviet nation into a parliamentary republic.

Various polls have shown that the race between President Serzh Sargsyan's Republic Party and the "Tsarukyan" bloc led by Armenian millionaire Gagik Tsarukyan has been neck and neck.

If no party or coalition of parties secures at least 54 percent of what is called "stable majority" by the Armenian Electoral Code, a second round of elections will be held between the two top finishers.

The constitutional changes, which critics say were adopted only to keep incumbent President Sargsyan in power once his second term ends next year, will come into force next April.

The changes will help effectively transform executive power to the prime minister and expand roles of the National Assembly. The country's president will then play a largely ceremonial rule, and will be elected by the parliament for only one term of seven years. Endit