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ARMENIAN FREE SOCIETY INSTITUTE STRENGTHENS ELECTION MONITORING WITH INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS
Sacramento Bee
Feb 18 2013
CA
By Free Society Institute
YEREVAN, Armenia, February 18, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ --
A high-level team of independent foreign parliamentarians and other
experts has set out from Yerevan to assess Armenia's adherence to
international election standards in the nation's presidential election
being held today (18 February).
The group was invited to participate by the Free Society Institute
(FSI), one of Armenia's oldest and largest NGOs promoting democratic
values. The FSI will have 1,468 officially accredited local observers
monitoring the voting process across the country. The international
team has been invited to observe today's voting and assists the FSI
in its observing mission.
"With 12 officially accredited international observer groups and many
domestic organizations watching this election, we wanted the benefit
of highly experienced and impartial advice," Edgar Hagopian, FSI's
president, said. "We took the decision to invite a group of sitting
MPs and other experts to provide a fresh perspective."
The advisory group is led by UK Member of Parliament Gisela Stuart and
Lord Chris Rennard, a member of the British House of Lords. Others
include: Juraj Droba, a member of the Slovak National Council;
Sir Nick Harvey, a British MP and former minister in the current UK
government; Paul Keetch, a former British MP; Ian Hernon, a British
Parliamentary Correspondent since 1978; and Peter Hayes, a broadcast
journalist and Parliamentary correspondent.
The FSI's Mr. Hagopian said, "We very much appreciate having our
own voice advocating the continued steady progress in our elections
strengthened by the participation of this group of independent
experts."
The team arrived on Saturday and has visited campaign offices and
been briefed by domestic experts. Today they set off in two groups to
visit multiple polling stations (both within Yerevan and out of the
city in rural locations). They will present a preliminary report at
a press conference to be held in the Pucini Room of Yerevan's Golden
Tulip Hotel Tuesday, 19 February at 2pm.
About the Armenian Free Society Institute
The Armenian Free Society Institute was established in 2004, and
focuses on encouraging Armenia's ongoing evolution to becoming a fully
free, democratic and civil society. It seeks to raise the awareness and
appreciation of human rights and civil liberties, freedom in general,
and democratic values, with a particular focus on advocacy to youth
groups - tomorrow's adult citizens and voters. The FSI sent observers
to every polling station in last year's parliamentary elections,
and will have observers present at all polling stations for the
Presidential election.
SOURCE Free Society Institute
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/18/5197914/armenian-free-society-institute.html
Sacramento Bee
Feb 18 2013
CA
By Free Society Institute
YEREVAN, Armenia, February 18, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ --
A high-level team of independent foreign parliamentarians and other
experts has set out from Yerevan to assess Armenia's adherence to
international election standards in the nation's presidential election
being held today (18 February).
The group was invited to participate by the Free Society Institute
(FSI), one of Armenia's oldest and largest NGOs promoting democratic
values. The FSI will have 1,468 officially accredited local observers
monitoring the voting process across the country. The international
team has been invited to observe today's voting and assists the FSI
in its observing mission.
"With 12 officially accredited international observer groups and many
domestic organizations watching this election, we wanted the benefit
of highly experienced and impartial advice," Edgar Hagopian, FSI's
president, said. "We took the decision to invite a group of sitting
MPs and other experts to provide a fresh perspective."
The advisory group is led by UK Member of Parliament Gisela Stuart and
Lord Chris Rennard, a member of the British House of Lords. Others
include: Juraj Droba, a member of the Slovak National Council;
Sir Nick Harvey, a British MP and former minister in the current UK
government; Paul Keetch, a former British MP; Ian Hernon, a British
Parliamentary Correspondent since 1978; and Peter Hayes, a broadcast
journalist and Parliamentary correspondent.
The FSI's Mr. Hagopian said, "We very much appreciate having our
own voice advocating the continued steady progress in our elections
strengthened by the participation of this group of independent
experts."
The team arrived on Saturday and has visited campaign offices and
been briefed by domestic experts. Today they set off in two groups to
visit multiple polling stations (both within Yerevan and out of the
city in rural locations). They will present a preliminary report at
a press conference to be held in the Pucini Room of Yerevan's Golden
Tulip Hotel Tuesday, 19 February at 2pm.
About the Armenian Free Society Institute
The Armenian Free Society Institute was established in 2004, and
focuses on encouraging Armenia's ongoing evolution to becoming a fully
free, democratic and civil society. It seeks to raise the awareness and
appreciation of human rights and civil liberties, freedom in general,
and democratic values, with a particular focus on advocacy to youth
groups - tomorrow's adult citizens and voters. The FSI sent observers
to every polling station in last year's parliamentary elections,
and will have observers present at all polling stations for the
Presidential election.
SOURCE Free Society Institute
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/18/5197914/armenian-free-society-institute.html