New voting technologies discussed at OSCE workshop in Yerevan
International standards and good practices in introduction of new voting technologies (NVT) were the focus of an expert seminar organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Administration of the President of Armenia in co-operation with the OSCE/ODIHR on 19 February 2016 in Yerevan.
The seminar was held with the expert support from the OSCE/ODIHR and was intended for a broad spectrum of key stakeholders of the electoral process, such as political parties, Government, Central Election Commission, domestic observer organizations and the law enforcement agencies.
“I believe today’s discussion of international experience and the possibilities of application of new information technologies in Armenian electoral process will help us develop a set of recommendations to further improving the electoral procedures in Armenia,” said Vigen Sargsyan, the Head of the President’s Administration.
An expert overview of the legal framework and various aspects of application of the NVT in the OSCE area was provided by Dr. Robert Krimmer, theOSCE/ODIHR expert and professor of e-Governance of Tallinn University of Technology, Ragnar Nurkse School of Innovation and Governance. The presentation included, among other issues, analysis of the relevant international standards, forms and technical properties of NVT. Decision points for implementation of NVT using the Electoral Cycle Approach were also discussed.
“I would like to stress the importance of a gradual approach to introducing technical novelties into the electoral process, together with thorough testing and full transparency, as a means to build public confidence,” said Krimmer.
Ambassador Andrey Sorokin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, said: “Regardless of the technical solution that will be chosen, our Office is ready to continue supporting transparent and consultative process of amending the Electoral Code, which we view as an important step towards enhancing public trust towards the electoral process.”