Politics of Nagorno-Karabakh

This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Nagorno-Karabakh
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Politics of Nagorno Karabakh takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, whereby the President of Nagorno Karabakh is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system; as of 2009, American organization Freedom House ranks Nagorno-Karabakh Republic above both the republic of Armenia and Azerbaijan in terms of political and civil rights.[1][2][3] Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The republic is de facto independent and de jure a part of Azerbaijan. None of the elections are recognized by any governing body and are condemned by Minks Group Observant as well Azerbaijan, Turkey and OIC countries have more harsh stance by saying that the elections delude the peace talks. [4][5][6]

Executive branch

The president is elected for a five-year term by the people.

Legislative branch

The National Assembly (Azgayin Zhoghov) has 33 members, 16 elected for a five-year term in single seat constituencies and 17 by proportional representation. Nagorno Karabakh has a multi-party system, with numerous parties in which no one party often has a chance of gaining power alone, and parties must work with each other to form coalition governments.

Recent elections

2010 Parliamentary election

 Summary of the 23 May 2010 National Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh election results
Party Party-list Constituency Total
seats
+/–
Votes % Seats Seats %
Free Motherland 29,252 44.2% 8 6 37.5% 14 Increase 4
Democratic Party of Artsakh 18,017 27.0% 5 2 12.5% 7 Decrease 5
Armenian Revolutionary Federation 12,725 19.1% 4 2 12.5% 6 Increase 3
Communist Party of Artsakh 3,057 4.6% Steady
Non-partisans 6 37.5% 6 Decrease 2
Valid votes 63,324 94.8%
Invalid/blank votes 3,446 5.2%
Total (Turnout 67.8%) 66,771 100.0 17 16 100 33 Steady
Source: NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs Caucasian Knot

2012 Presidential election

 Summary of the 19 July 2012 Nagorno-Karabakh presidential election results
Candidate Votes %
Bako Sahakyan 47,085 64.65
Vitaly Balasanyan 22,966 31.53
Arkady Soghomonyan 594 0.81
Blank or invalid 2,188 3.00
Total votes cast 72,833 100.00
Turnout 72,833 73.64
Abstention 26,076 26.36
Total eligible voters 98,909 100.00
Source: Panorama, RIA Novosti

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References

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