"You should not hand over the steering wheel of your democracy to someone else": CEC members meet with YSU students

CEC members addressed the importance of youth participation in elections, their involvement in democratic processes, and the significance of being informed and active citizens.

CEC member Anna Grigoryan conducted an awareness survey for students, who submitted their responses through QR codes. While reviewing the correct answers, she urged students to remain vigilant regarding information flows.

"To prevent the spread of misinformation, we are obliged to verify any information related to elections," she said.

CEC Secretary Armen Smbatyan drew an interesting comparison between democracy and driving a car, saying: "You should not hand over the steering wheel of your democracy to someone else. If you do not go to vote, you hand that steering wheel over to others."

Smbatyan noted that several analyses by international institutions indicate that democracy is currently experiencing regression worldwide, including in established democracies.

"And what is democracy? It is the rule of the majority and the protection of minority rights," he said.

Speaking about elections, Smbatyan highlighted four fundamental principles: freedom, secrecy, equality, and universal suffrage. He stressed that democracy is also grounded in Christian values, particularly equality, and encompasses not only elections, but also freedom of speech, strong institutions, human rights, and many other components, noting that around 500 indicators are used to measure the level of democracy in countries.

Smbatyan also emphasized the importance of voting for the first time, citing statistical observations: "Those who vote for the first time usually remain voters throughout their lives. Those who do not vote in their first elections generally continue not to participate in elections afterward."

According to the CEC secretary, participation in elections provides the "energy" known as legitimacy.

CEC member Arusyak Terchanyan, returning to her alma mater, spoke about the inclusiveness and accessibility of elections. According to her, democracy is not limited to holding elections; it begins with ensuring that voting is accessible to everyone, regardless of social status or physical ability.

"The true foundation of democracy lies in making every person's vote accessible so that no one feels excluded," she said.

She particularly stressed that democracy "falters" where indifference prevails.

"The greatest danger to democracy is not differing opinions, but people's indifference. We must neutralize the disease of indifference in every individual," Terchanyan said, urging young people not to remain indifferent, to participate in forming government institutions, and only then demand results.

She also presented technical solutions — including Braille templates and accessible polling stations — that enable persons with disabilities to vote independently and by secret ballot.

During the meeting, students posed questions to the CEC members. Discussions covered the development of the debate institution, the functions of the assistant institution, accessibility of voter list information, and other issues. 

Responding to students' questions, Terchanyan also explained the meaning of the assistant institution: "If a citizen is unable to vote independently, any person may assist them, except commission members, observers, or proxies. One person may assist only once, and their details are recorded in a special register." 

Responding to a question about observers, she noted that while international observers' opinions are important for drawing lessons, the most important assessment is the one given by the people.