Citizen living abroad not allowed to vote: Alternative point of view.
I don't understand the hostility toward Armenian citizens living abroad. We have now been stripped of our right to vote entirely. It was never easy before, but now we are outright banned.
I understand the justification we were given: Russian hybrid attacks, and the fear that Russia might try to influence our elections. But push the conversation a little further and the real sentiment comes out: "Why should people who chose to leave get a say in the country's politics?" I find this deeply unfair and discriminatory, and here is why.
First, people don't leave Armenia just because — they leave because life there failed them. Corruption, poverty, unemployment, bad health care, bad ecological situation, high prices on accommodation, low salaries, low quality of life, human right violation, homophobia, lack of opportunities as scientist drive people out. Yet the moment I leave, I lose the ability to vote for the political party I believe could fix the country — the party that might one day make it possible for me to return.
Second, Armenia's politics continue to shape my life long after I cross the border. Embassies, digital services, military obligations — these follow me abroad. The state's decisions still bind me. World income tax can be introduced on all Armenians. Yet I am no longer allowed to voice my disagreement through the ballot.
Third, the hypocrisy becomes clearest when the country needs something from me. I am denied representation, denied any say in who governs treated, in effect, as a non-citizen with a travel document. But the instant the situation goes south, I, as a male reservist, can be summoned to fight. And if I refuse to give my life for a country that won't even count my vote, I cannot renew my passport, I face deportation back to Armenia, and I face prison for refusing the summon.
So let me be clear: you want my body when it suits you, but not my voice. That is not citizenship. That is exploitation.
Smal Edit:
This is funny how my child living and born abroad would be giving citizenship of Armenia without anyones consent (Armenia forces its citizenship on kids of Armenian citizens) This male child would never be taking anything out of Armenia (school education, healthcare would be provided by another country) but at the age of 18 he would not be able to vote but would be forced to go to military for 1.5 years to "give back" to Armenia. What exactly he has taken that he is not allowed to even vote but still owes 1,5 years of is life is unclear.