IRI Launches Candidate Training Initiative

August 1, 2004

In July, IRI held its first series of election campaign training for city kenesh (council) elections scheduled for October 2004. Ukrainian trainer Lyuba Maiboroda conducted multi-party candidate trainings in Bishkek, Jalal-Abad, Kochkor and Naryn for 110 potential candidates from political parties and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The seminars covered the fundamentals of campaigning, with topics including writing a campaign plan, public speaking, how to deal with an audience, drafting leaflets and party support for the candidate. IRI supplied participants with information on the latest edition of sections of the election code related to local elections, including materials on candidate registration, election deadlines and election commission membership.

The seminars were informative and well attended by a variety of political parties and NGOs. Participants were pleased to have a trainer from a former Soviet country who was able to share relevant political development experiences in Ukraine, such as a new election code and the party list system.

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