YEREVAN, Armenia — On May 7, the Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance (BAPG) and the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) programs at the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted a panel discussion titled “Understanding Elections: Process, Participation, and Responsibility.” Ahead of Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections on June 7, 2026, the strictly non-partisan discussion aimed to help students better understand how elections function and the importance of civic participation.
The panel brought together representatives from Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center (TIAC), and the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia, as well as members of the AUA academic community. Among the speakers were Sona Ayvazyan, executive director of Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center, Dr. Arusyak Terchanyan, member of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia (CEC), Dr. Narek Sukiasyan, adjunct lecturer at AUA, student Andreas Tevosyan (BAPG ’28), and Dr. Yevgenya Paturyan, associate professor and AUA BAPG program chair moderating the panel.
Throughout the discussion, panelists explored the legislative and institutional capacities for conducting free, fair, and transparent elections in Armenia, including recent procedural developments and common misconceptions surrounding the electoral process. Speakers also addressed the role of civil society, information literacy, public trust and distrust, risks of misinformation, and the challenges connected to digital voting systems. The discussion highlighted youth participation and the experiences, concerns, and responsibilities of first-time voters.
The panel was followed by an active Q&A session, during which students had the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers and discuss some of the most pressing questions related to elections, transparency, and democratic participation in Armenia today.
The event concluded with the announcement of the results of the “Your Vote – Your Voice” student creative competition. First place was awarded to Donara Sardaryan (BAPG ’26) for her humorous sketch video encouraging young people to participate in elections, and she received gifts from the CEC and the TIAC.
Amid the upcoming elections and taking into consideration that most students are first-time voters, the BAPG program is sharing a number of sources that can help students and the broader public better understand how elections work, where and how to vote, and how to navigate the information landscape responsibly during the electoral period.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
