EU EaP Civil Society Forum Armenian National Platform, which unites more than 200 Armenian civil society organizations, expresses its solidarity with the process aimed at ensuring public engagement in the discussions on the RA new Electoral Code and as a result of the CSF ANP member organizations’ online vote, joins the statement, prepared by a number of NGOs, on its readiness on engagement in the negotiations on discussing draft Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia in the 4+4+4 format (coalition government, non-ruling political parties and NGOs) presented by political forces (see below).

Statement

Responding to the public proposal to conduct negotiations on discussing draft Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia in the 4+4+4 format (coalition government, non-ruling political parties, NGOs) presented by political forces, the undersigned group of civil society organizations (CSO) informs of its readiness on engagement in the work. The group involves eligible NGOs, experienced in the areas of democracy promotion, human rights protection and oversight of electoral processes, which publicly criticized draft Electoral Code and made constructive recommendations to improve it.

The elected candidates will take the responsibility to act as delegates to CSOs and will promote not only their own but other NGOs’ recommendations that achieved consensus in a multi-interested group, thus ensuring the publicity and feedback of negotiation processes with CSOs.

According to the decision of the interested civil society group 4 main and 2 substitute representatives were proposed in the mentioned format to be engaged in the work for improvement of the draft Electoral Code, attempting to ensure full and effective engagement of CSOs.

By this statement the undersigned group recommends the following representatives in 4+4+4 format for the engagement in the work to improve the draft Electoral Code of Armenia.

Main representatives:

  • Sona Ayvazyan, “Transparency International Anticorruption Center” NGO
  • Levon Barseghyan, “Journalists’ Club “Asparez”” NGO
  • Tigran Yegoryan, “Europe in Law Association” NGO
  • Artak Zeynalyan, "Rule of Right" NGO

Substitute representatives

  • Stepan Danielyan, “Collaboration for Democracy” NGO
  • Daniel Ioannisyan, “Union of Informed Citizens” NGO

We hope that as a result of cooperation in this format the draft Electoral Code will be seriously amended, providing inclusive process and consensus among stakeholders by stipulating effective mechanisms ensuring public trust in the draft.