OSCE, EU train 14,000 election officials in advance of Armenian parliamentary elections

YEREVAN, 2 May 2012 – Training supported by the OSCE and the EU on the procedural and ethical aspects of election administration for precinct election commissioners will conclude tomorrow.

The training that started on 15 April was held throughout the country for some 14,000 election officials. It was organized by the Armenian Central Electoral Commission and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and financial assistance from the European Union. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contributed funding to prepare the 43 trainers currently administering these PEC trainings.

"The enhanced skills of election officials are one of the pillars necessary for ensuring the efficient and transparent administration of elections,” said Ambassador Andrey Sorokin, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “We believe this and other similar endeavours will contribute to fostering further compliance of the Armenian electoral processes with OSCE commitments.”

Polling procedures, new election code provisions, familiarity with and use of ballot guides and administering mobile voting were among the topics covered in the election support training.

"The skills of election officials and their commitment to the principles of electoral management need to be of the highest quality," noted the Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Traian Hristea. "We wish all 14,000 trainees success in applying these skills, contributing to a free and transparent electoral process in Armenia".

In administering training for precinct election commissioners, 43 trainers were earlier identified, selected and trained and a set of training materials was developed. The latter included a manual that will be referenced on election day and a journal to assist PEC commissioners document election day activities in the polling stations. Training participants also received a copy of the new election code and recent CEC decisions.

The training activities are part of a 1.7 million euro project on strengthening electoral processes in Armenia in line with international standards, implemented by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and financed by the EU.