Armenia has suspended a constitutional referendum scheduled for April 5 given that the government today declared a State of Emergency that bans all mass public gatherings.

The State of Emergency is to run until April 14, unless otherwise extended.

Twenty-two new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Armenia today, raising the total to 52.

The country’s Central Electoral Commission announced that all campaigning and preparations for the referendum have been halted.

The referendum, backed by the government, seeks to modify Article 213 of the constitution and thus allow for the early termination of Constitutional Court Chairman Hrayr Tovmasyan and other court members.

 Armenian PM Pashinyan argues that the current court does not represent the people.