Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, on July 23, signed a package of amendments to Armenia’s constitutional laws governing elections and referendums. The package includes amendments and additions to the constitutional law “Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia,” as well as an amendment to the constitutional law “On Referendum.” Independent Observer and several human rights organizations had called on the Armenian president to withhold his signature from the legislation, arguing that it restricts the electoral rights of citizens residing outside Armenia. Under the adopted rules, Armenian citizens residing abroad will be ineligible to vote unless they have spent at least 366 days in Armenia over the preceding two years. The authorities cited an influx of Armenian citizens from Russia during the June 7 elections to justify the measure, without providing supporting figures.