On April 18 an OSCE-supported guidebook summarizing the platforms, activities and goals of political parties running for 6 May parliamentary elections in Armenia was presented today in Yerevan. As informs OSCE Office in Yerevan, the guide was prepared by the non-governmental organization Foundation for Civil and Social Development (FCSD) with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and USAID Civic Advocacy Support Project implemented by the Counterpart International. “This publication is a useful tool to assist the Armenian voters to make an informed decision and contribute to the inclusiveness of the electoral process,” said Carel Hofstra, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. The event brought together representatives from political parties, state institutions, civil society, international organizations and the media. Samvel Mkhitaryan, the Chairperson of the Foundation for Civil Society Development, added: “Providing impartial and comprehensive information on political platforms, programmes and objectives of parties running for the elections is crucial. It helps raise citizens’ awareness and political activity and is also an opportunity for political parties to be equally presented to the public.” The circulation of the publication, currently in Armenian, is 6,000 copies; it will be distributed among political parties, NGOs conducting local observations, media and representatives of general public. The electronic English version will be prepared shortly. A similar guidebook was published prior to 2007 parliamentary elections in Armenia and was positively perceived by the electoral process stakeholders. An electronic version of the guidebook in Armenian is available at http://www.osce.org/yerevan or www.fcsd.am.

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