The Situation

Election law reform in anticipation of the 2012 National Assembly election took place amidst high political tension in Armenia. In May 2011, the Armenian National Assembly approved a revised electoral code which was signed by President Serzh Sargsyan in June 2011.

Despite this new legal reform effort, several outstanding legal electoral issues remain, such as improving standards of election dispute resolution, campaign finance regulations/enforcement and election system management.

Our Role

Since 1995, IFES has provided technical assistance to electoral systems in Armenia, seeking to improve the quality and integrity of elections while increasing civic engagement and voter education.

IFES is currently analyzing management structures and processes within the Armenian electoral system, looking to highlight new methodologies and technologies to enable it to meet the needs of citizens. With its independent, cooperative approach, IFES has developed positive working relationships with election officials and state organizations like the National Police (OVIR) and National Assembly, as well as members of civil society.

What We are Doing

• Engaging stakeholders in roundtable sessions and to improve the electoral culture
• Reaching out to youth through the development of civic education materials
• Continuing a close working relationship with the National Assembly Standing Committee on State and Legal Issues on matters related to the electoral code
• Working with the CEC on election management reform