Pashinyan claims victory in Armenia election

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has claimed victory in parliamentary elections, after early results put his party ahead of pro-Russian rivals.

The Central Election Commission said Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party had 50.1% of the vote with almost 91% counted.

The Moscow-friendly Strong Armenia alliance was second on 23.4%.

A bloc led by former president Robert Kocharyan, also seen as close to Moscow, was third on 9.8%.

The vote was a test of Pashinyan’s efforts to move Armenia closer to the West after years of reliance on Russia.

Election officials said turnout was 59%. Monitors reported alleged irregularities during voting.