IFES - Armenia
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Armenia
Staff from USAID, IFES, Pyunik, Paros and Lusastgh Charity Union mark their successful partnership on the wheelchair project.Current Projects
Strengthening Electoral Processes and Administration in Armenia
IFES is currently introducing new technologies to the citizen registry database to improve citizen and biometric identification. Following the parliamentary committee summer session discussions on improvements to the election code, IFES worked with several experts to lead the IT components of the "Technical Assistance: Transitioning to a Civil Registry and Issuance of Biometric Identification System" project. The project includes the development of software for the use of SMS technology in reporting preliminary results to the CEC central computer. The system is designed to eliminate the mismanagement of results by mid-level authorities. It achieves this by providing a transparent procedure with a copy of the protocol on the CEC website, allowing citizens and observers to track election results through to final tabulation.
Building Armenia’s Electoral Infrastructure
Registration officers cope with high volume of voters at a polling site in Artik of Aragatsotn marz.
In 2005, IFES began a project that aims to increase the government of Armenia’s ability to fulfill its international and national election commitments in time for the 2007 parliamentary and 2008 presidential elections.
To meet this goal, IFES is working with the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) and the Passport and Visas Department (OVIR, which falls under the jurisdiction of the police) as well as other interested parties, including the Armenian government, members of the National Assembly, and members of civil society.
More Effective Voter Registration
To produce a more inclusive, efficient and transparent voter registry, IFES is working with the CEC and OVIR (and others) to
- develop a new national voter registry,
- make it publicly available online (as required by Armenian law),
- mobilize voter registration drives, and
- train election and OVIR officials in the new registration procedures.
IFES, the CEC, and OVIR are also working with citizen groups (called Voter List Advisory Committees) who are helping to identify and correct errors in the new voter registry.
IFES worked with its local partners to develop a strategic plan for this project and continues to offer them support with respect to testing and refining the new system.
More Informed Voters
To better inform Armenia’s eligible voters, IFES is working with the CEC (and citizens groups) to produce nonpartisan public information campaigns that will educate voters about their rights and responsibilities and about Armenia’s electoral process. The campaign will reach voters through TV and radio broadcasts, as well as newspapers, billboards, and movie theaters as appropriate.
EMB Better Prepared to Conduct Elections
To prepare all members of Armenia’s various election management bodies (at the national, provincial and local levels), IFES is working with officials at all levels to provide them with reference copies of all CEC decisions and of Armenia’s election code. IFES will also offer provincial and local officials training to enable them to better carry out their duties.
Ensuring Everyone Can Exercise Their Right to Vote
IFES is working with local partners on a pilot project that aims to increase the number of voters with disabilities who participate in the 2007 parliamentary elections. In eight cities, IFES and its partners are working to ensure polling stations are accessible to voters with disabilities. Among other activities, they are also working with local election officials in those cities to include components in voter information campaigns that inform voters with disabilities about improved access to polling stations and encourage them to vote.
Registration officers cope with high volume of voters at a polling site in Artik of Aragatsotn marz.
To learn more about our experts from this region, visit here.
For more information, please contact us at europe.asia.programs@ifes.org.
Applications and resumes are not accepted at this address.
Armenia News and Materials
IFES in the News: Anthony Bowyer Discusses Armenian Elections (.pdf)
Multimedia: Armenia: Voters with Disabilities
IFES.org Feature: Armenian Elections 2007: Q&A with Oksanna Abrahamyan
IFES.org Feature: Letter from Armenia: IFES Marks Progress in Elections, Looks Ahead
IFES.org Feature: Q&A With Chedomir Flego: Armenia Faces High Stakes Elections
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