Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has dismissed speculation that the country is preparing for new or early elections.

Pashinyan clarified that recent political initiatives by the ruling party should not be interpreted as a signal for snap elections, The Caspian Post reports via Interfax.

“The initiative of the ruling party to introduce a residency requirement for voting does not mean that early elections are being prepared,” he said.

The proposal refers to a planned “residency qualification” rule that would affect eligibility for participation in elections. However, the prime minister stressed that the idea is not linked to any electoral timetable.

He added that similar changes had been discussed even before the most recent elections, but he personally opposed making amendments so close to a voting cycle.