Talking History and Democracy 20 Years after the USSR

August 31, 2011

August 19 marked 20 years since a coup d'etat was staged by top Communist Party officials, the ultimate failure of which led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Looking back at the past two decades, questions arise about the changes that have taken place in the former Soviet republics.

Governance, Democracy Assistance

Moving Armenia Forward

July 15, 2011

In mid-June, Armenia's president signed into law a newly amended electoral code. Recently passed by the parliament, known as the National Assembly, the reformed code incorporated several of IFES’ recommendations.

Election Law, Election Procedures

Reforming Armenia’s Electoral Code

December 17, 2010

Armenia’s last presidential election, held on February 19, 2008, resulted in a series of protests in Yerevan’s Freedom Square from demonstrators who alleged the election, won by then-Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, was flawed. Police and state security units eventually dispersed the demonstrations by force.

Post-conflict, Elections, Election Law, Political Parties

Symposium on Electoral Legislation in Armenia

November 22, 2010

IFES is co-hosting a symposium on electoral reform and elections administration in Armenia from November 22nd and 23rd in Yerevan. The symposium will address Armenia’s current draft electoral code legislation and provide regional and international perspective to Armenia’s overall electoral development.

Election Procedures, Electoral Systems, Civil Society, Public Opinion, Democracy Assistance

Coming Full Circle . . . Return to Armenia, 12 Years Later

March 22, 2010

There are people who work in international development that develop a great affinity for the country in which they work, and stay for a number of years. There are other people, for whom living and working in another country is something they rotate like clockwork.

Elections, Governance, Democracy Assistance, Civil Society, Election Law

Forum for the Future of Democracy

October 21, 2009

Bill Sweeney, IFES President & CEO, attended the Council of Europe's "Forum for the Future of Democracy" being held in Ukraine from October 21-23. The conference is entitled Electoral Systems: Strengthening Democracy in the 21st century.

Election Procedures, Electoral Systems, Civil Society, Public Opinion, Democracy Assistance

Judicial Protection of Electoral Rights

September 03, 2009

From September 3-5, Bill Sweeney, IFES President and CEO, and other IFES staff participated in the annual gathering of the Association of European Election Officials which took place in Yerevan, Armenia.

Rule of Law, Legal Framework, Election Law, Election Disputes

IFES, an Observer of the Yerevan, Armenia Elections, Comments on the Poll

June 01, 2009

IFES was one of the international groups monitoring the Yerevan Council elections. IFES has been working with Armenia’s Central Election Commission on a USAID project to promote the more professional and transparent implementation of elections in Armenia.

Election Observation, Election Disputes, Election Procedures, Political Parties, Elections

Smoldering Election for Mayor of Yerevan, Armenia

May 29, 2009

The pivotal May 31 council elections in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, have been described as the “second round” of the presidential vote that took place in February of last year. These elections will determine who will be the capital’s next mayor, a powerful position in Armenia. The opposition regards this poll as an opportunity to settle its unfinished business from the 2008 presidential election.

Election Disputes, Public Opinion, Political Parties, Elections, Legal Framework

Improvement in the Armenian Electoral Process

February 21, 2008

Which were the major problems of the presidential elections in Armenia and what lessons could the government and people of Armenia take from these elections? These were the questions that were answered by Anthony Bowyer, Eurasia and Asia Program Manager at IFES, who notes that despite serious frauds taken place in 16% of the precincts, serious improvement in the electoral process can be observed compared to previous elections.

Elections, Election Disputes, Electoral Systems, Election Procedures, Civil Society