Code inherited from the Soviet era to be replaced by new and modern Code — Draft considered with electoral stakeholders

Director of the "Centre for Legislation Development and Legal Research" Foundation Tigran Dadunts delivered opening remarks at a public discussion on the draft of the new Code of Administrative Offences regarding electoral offences and the activities of political parties.

IFES Country Director for Armenia Jérôme Leyraud, also delivered a speech during the discussion. Tigran Dadunts attached importance to holding discussions on the draft Code and mentioned that the Code, which has been developed for many years, is expected to be submitted to the Government in the near future for consideration. He also expressed hope that it will soon replace the 1985 Code inherited from the Soviet era.

Moving on to the discussion of the main topics on the agenda, Head of the Chair of Law at the Public Administration Academy, expert Tamara Shakaryan presented the background story of development of the draft Code, as well as the main ideas and conceptual postulates, noting that the following basic reforms are being implemented under the package:

• provisions regarding liability of both natural and legal persons are prescribed;
• uniform rules and conditions of administrative proceedings for cases regarding administrative offences are prescribed;
• legal institutions necessary for ensuring the regular course of administrative proceedings with regard to administrative offences and safeguarding the rights of persons are introduced;
• sector-specific legislative acts are reviewed so that they rule out needless duplication and contradictions, etc.

Tigran Dadunts and expert lawyer of the Foundation Marietta Mnatsakanyan presented to the attendees of the discussion the administrative offences related to Electoral Processes and Financing of Political Parties and Abuse of Public Resources.

Afterwards, the participants of the discussion asked their questions, shared their concerns and recommendations, an active discussion took place, and areas for further improvement of the package were predetermined. At the end of the meeting, the participants agreed to continue discussions on the legislative reforms.

The discussion was organised through the joint efforts of the United States Agency for International Development, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the "Centre for Legislation Development and Legal Research" Foundation of the Ministry of Justice.

The representatives of the Central Electoral Commission, the Corruption Prevention Commission, the Investigative Committee and other interested state bodies and civil society participated in the discussion.