ARMENIAN ELECTIONS MOVE FORWARD WITH HELP FROM U.S. GROUP
NewsBlaze, CA
b/newsblaze/TOPSTORY/Top-Stories.html
Source: U.S. Department of State
July 7 2007
Partnership for a Better Life
The international community is giving Armenia its first positive
marks for an election since the country gained independence in 1991 –
for National Assembly elections held in May.
The U.S.-based nongovernmental organization IFES has worked closely
with several government and community entities in Armenia to help
move the country closer to achieving its goal of having elections
that meet international standards.
The road to fair and free elections in Armenia with help from IFES
began when the organization established its presence in the country
in 1996, providing wide-ranging election assistance to the country’s
legislators, national and local electoral commissions, candidates,
observers, nongovernmental organizations and voters.
In October 2005, IFES began a three-year project funded by the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID), targeting key segments
of Armenia’s electoral system and ways to improve voter registration,
voter information and election administration.
The new voter registry system began with amendments to the electoral
code. Then, the police and its Passport and Visas Department helped
make the registry a reality with IFES assistance for the registry’s
design.
Together, IFES and department officials considered how best to meet
international norms, create a sustainable system, choose the right
technology and promote public acceptance. Finally, Armenian officials
installed computer equipment funded by USAID and verified voter lists.
IFES also produced more than 60,000 copies of posters and leaflets
with nonpartisan messages which were distributed nationwide.
The success of the voter information campaign could be seen at every
polling station on election day. Local television stations ran public
service announcements produced by IFES that encouraged voters to
participate in the election and follow correct procedures. It was
important that voters know they could lose their votes because of a
technicality if they did not follow new rules. The voter education
products also helped combat public apathy.
IFES also sought to raise the level of transparency and fairness in
the process by training more than 50 of Armenia’s election officials,
who then trained more than 17,000 of their colleagues. The training
focused on organizational details, precinct arrangement and the
responsibilities of each commission member – the kinds of details
that often mean the difference between a credible election and one
that is challenged.
Some trainees had excellent knowledge of the law but could not
communicate the knowledge properly. The lessons helped them develop
communication skills through discussions, debates and presentations.
IFES also helped develop training materials that were placed on tables
at every polling site in the country and quick-reference sheets for
polling officers and election managers.
Finally, in collaboration with local disability groups, IFES helped
construct several new ramps allowing voters in wheelchairs greater
access to polling sites. In addition, Armenia introduced special
ballot guides for voters with visual impairments.
IFES formerly was the International Foundation for Election Systems.
More information about IFES is available on the organization’s
Web site.
For more information on how U.S. development aid changes lives,
see Partnership for a Better Life.