01 December 2007
IFES Helps Armenian Elections Move Forward
Group offers technical support to help nations run democratic elections
The international community gave Armenia its first positive marks for an election since the country gained independence in 1991for National Assembly elections held in May 2007.
The U.S.-based nongovernmental organization IFES (originally the International Foundation for Election Systems) 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.
IFES is a nonprofit democracy development organization that works to give people a voice in how they are governed. The nonpartisan organization, founded in 1987, provides countries with the technical advice and tools they need to run democratic elections.
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.
NEW VOTER REGISTRY SYSTEM, VOTER INFORMATION CAMPAIGN
The new voter registry system began with amendments to the electoral code. Then, the police and Armenia’ 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 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.
More information about IFES is available on the organization’s Web site.
