Lragir, Armenia
Dec 28 2007
ARMENIA NATIONAL STUDY
The U.S. Embassy in Armenia has watched with interest the recent
press coverage generated by the "Armenian National Study" funded by
the U.S. Agency for International Development.
While the Embassy is encouraged that the study has focused the
attention of Armenian society and political parties on the important
electoral processes underway in the country, we are nevertheless
concerned by the inaccurate portrayals of the study being reported in
some national media.
As part of the U.S. Government’s democracy assistance program in
Armenia, the "Armenia National Study" is an opinion poll designed to
be a neutral, objective mechanism to assist political parties in
Armenia to better understand and respond to the major political,
economic and social concerns of Armenian citizens. It is not meant to
influence or predict the way in which Armenians will vote during
elections.
In democratic societies, opinion polls provide citizens with a forum
in which to express their views about major issues, both anonymously
and objectively, to elected officials and political parties that
represent their concerns. The opinion poll is also an effective aid
for elected officials and political parties to develop programs and
platforms that address societal concerns and national issues.
Commissioned by the International Republic Institute in 2006, the
"Armenia National Study" is being carried out in Armenia by the
Vilnius-based Baltic Surveys Ltd. / Gallup Organization with the
assistance of the Armenian Sociological Association. It is common
practice to work with local organizations in carrying out such public
opinion polls.
A total of seven quarterly opinion polls have been carried out since
May, 2006. The most recent poll was taken in early December, 2007. An
eighth and final poll is scheduled for mid-January, 2008. Baltic
Surveys Ltd. / Gallup Organization is also planning to conduct an
exit poll during the presidential election on February 19, 2008.
To ensure anonymity and objectivity of the opinion poll, the Baltic
Surveys Ltd. / Gallup Organization uses a random sampling methodology
that is the mainstay of reputable Western polling organizations. IRI
has shared the poll results, including specific information on
respective political parties, with party representatives. The results
of all seven polls conducted since May 2006, including more general
information on the major political, economic, and social issues, are
free for public examination on the IRI website (). Neither
the United States government, the International Republican Institute
nor Baltic Surveys Ltd. / Gallup Organization endorses any particular
party or candidate. Non-party specific results are made public;
candidate and party results are shared with the appropriate political
parties.