Charter / Party / Republican Party of Armenia

Charter

The Charter
GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1. The Republican Party of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as “Party”) shall operate in
conformity with the Constitution, laws and legal acts of the Republic of Armenia, this
Charter, and its Program.
1.2. The Party shall function based on the principles of democracy, openness,
transparency and free manifestation of initiatives. It is a corporate body and shall
enjoy all the rights provided for by the RA Constitution and laws and exercise
responsibilities hereunder.
1.3. The Party strives to ensure its representation in the state and local government bodies
through democratic elections within the framework of the RA Constitution and laws,
and in this way participate in the formation of public and municipal authorities,
development and implementation of national policies.
1.4. The name of the Party is:

in Armenian – Հայաստանի Հանրապետական կուսակցություն
(հապավումը` ՀՀԿ);
in Russian – Республиканская партия Армении (аббревиатура - РПА);
in English – Republican Party of Armenia (abbreviated as RPA).

1.5. The Party shall have a flag, emblem, letterhead, round seal and bank accounts,
including in foreign currency.
1.6. The Party flag is a white fabric with golden fringes (with 1:1,6 width and length), the
RPA emblem in the centre, with a 0,5 radius correlated to the width.
1.7. The RPA emblem is the traditional Armenian symbol of eternity in red with eight
petals, with a right turn and a sword and eagle with extended wings in the centre.
1.8. The RPA emblem shall be depicted on the RPA flag, its seal, letterhead, badge and
other forms of identification.
1.9. The legal address of the Party is: 2, Melik-Adamyan st., Yerevan, Republic of
Armenia.

2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goals and objectives of the Party are:

Participate in the strengthening and development of the independent Armenian
national statehood and in the resolution of national issues;
Build a sovereign, democratic, social and constitutional state;
Participate in the political life of the society and the state;
Participate in forming state authorities and get involved in the process of state
governance;
Ensure the development and strengthening of the political system of Armenia;
Support building a civil society, capacity-building and democratization of civil
institutions.

3.JOIN US

The citizens of the Republic of Armenia exercise the right to join into parties freely, in
accordance with their persuasions, through establishing parties on voluntary basis, on
condition of adopting and recognizing their programs and charters, joining their
membership, participating in their activity in conformity with program goals of parties and
pursuant to the procedure defined by the charter, as well as freely leaving the party.
The Law of the republic of Armenia on Parties
Conditions necessary to join the RPA

citizen shall not be a member of any other party
citizen must have attained the age of 18, as well as be an individual with the right to vote
(without the right to be elected in the Party governing bodies and control authorities)
citizen shall have the knowledge of the Party Program and Charter and shall accept them
citizen shall in person complete the membership application and personal details form
citizen shall personally present the membership application (attached with two personal
photos) to the party primary (territorial or regional) organization upon his/her residence
citizen shall obtain information on his/her membership from the relevant party
organization and get his/her membership card
being registered in a party primary organization, citizen shall be engaged in social and
political activities within the frameworks of the Armenian Legislation and Party Charter

Party affiliation is in conformity with a personal application based on the:

Decision of the regional Party organization council;
Decision of the territorial Party organization council;
Decision of the Party Organizing Committee.

A Party member shall pay a membership fee (voluntary amount).
A Party member shall have the right to:

Elect and be nominated for the election to the Party territorial (primary, regional
and local) organizations and structural units (women’s, youth, sports, etc.), control
authorities, as well as representative and governing bodies (Congress, executive
body);
Obtain information on the activity of the Party and its governing bodies,
monitor and control their activities;
Submit initiatives and proposals on different issues of the Party's social and
political life to the Party governing bodies for their consideration;
Participate in meetings and discussions of his/her personal matters or proposals,
express his/her personal views on the matter;
Leave the Party based on his/her application;
Appeal the decisions and actions of the Party's primary, regional and local
organizations in its superior bodies;
Suspend and restore the Party membership;
Enjoy other rights under the Legislation and this Charter.

A Party member shall:

Act within the framework of the Party Charter;
Implement the decisions of the Party Congress and governing bodies and the
Program provisions;
Attend the meetings and events of primary organizations;
Fulfill other duties prescribed by the Legislation and this Charter.

The Party membership shall be terminated in case:

A member leaves the Party based on an application;
A member is expelled from the Party;
Based on par. 14.5 of this Charter;
Of member's death;
Of the liquidation of the Party.

Means of encouragement
The Party may award:

An appreciation;
An honorary diploma;
A commemorative medal, souvenir or monetary reward;
Remission of disciplinary penalty.

In the event of the non-fulfillment of responsibilities prescribed by the Party Charter or
decisions of superior bodies a member of the Party may be involved in the disciplinary
through:

Reprimand;
Severe reprimand;
Exclusion from the Party.

Party members may be involved in the disciplinary either by the primary organization
meeting or the organizing committee. Territorial and regional council members may be
involved in the disciplinary either by the respective council or the organizing committee,
and the representative and governing body members may be involved in the disciplinary
only by the executive body.

4. PRIMARY ORGANIZATIONS

Primary organizations are the basis of the Party structure, and are the local implementers of
the Party policies. A primary organization shall consist of at least 15 members. The
chairperson of the primary organization is an ex officio member of the regional council,
and should there be no such council - a member of the territorial council.
A primary organization shall be set up according to territorial attributes.
A primary organization may be formed by:

The Party executive body;
Party organizing committee;
Party territorial council;
Party regional council.

A primary organization shall function through convening meetings, decision-making, and
implementation of these decisions and as well as the decisions of the Party's superior bodies.
A primary organization shall meet not less than once in three months. The meeting shall be
convened by the chairperson of the organization. The meeting may also be convened by at
least 1/3 of the organization members with a notification no later than three days prior to
the meeting. The meeting of the organization shall be deemed lawful, if at least ½ of its
members are in attendance. The decisions shall be made by a simple majority vote of the
either by open or secret ballot. The secret ballot shall be held on the request of at least 1/3
of the attendees, as well as in all cases when there is more than one candidate running for
the post.
The meeting of the primary organization shall elect a chairperson and two vice
chairpersons of the organization for a two year-term by either open or secret ballot
and a simple majority vote. The powers of the chairperson or the vice chairperson
may be early terminated by the decision of the primary organization meeting with
more than half of the votes of the organization members. In the event of a vacancy
in the office of the chairperson, or should the latter be absent, the duties shall be
performed by the oldest vice chairperson.
The primary organization shall report to the organization’s regional council. Should there
be no such council it shall report to the territorial council. The annual activity report of the
organization shall be submitted by the chairperson in January of each following year.
No later than 25 days prior to the regular Congress of the Party the primary
organization shall convene an election meeting and elect a chairperson and vice
chairpersons.
The primary organization shall transfer its monetary funds (membership fees,
donations) to the regional Party council. Should there be no such council the funds
shall be transferred to the territorial council. The primary organization shall submit
a report to the regional council on the expenditure of the resources allocated by the
Party. Should there be no regional council the report shall be submitted to the
territorial council.
The primary organization shall elect a new chairperson should its chairperson be
elected for the same position in a regional council or as chairperson or vice
chairperson of a local council.

5. REGIONAL ORGANIZATION

Regional Party organizations shall be set up in marzes (provinces) of the Republic of
Armenia, and the geographic framework of their activity shall be determined by the
executive body. The regional council shall be formed from among the chairpersons of
primary Party organizations.
The chairperson and two vice chairpersons of the Party regional council shall be elected for
a two-year term from among the members of the regional Party council by open or secret
ballot and a simple majority vote. Preterm elections of a regional council chairperson and
vice chairpersons may be held by the decision of the regional council. In the event of a
vacancy in the office of the regional council chairperson, and should he/she be absent, the
duties shall be performed by the oldest vice chairperson. No later than 20 days prior to
the regular Congress of the Party a chairperson and vice chairpersons of the regional council
shall be elected.
The regional organization shall function through convening meetings, decision-making, and
implementation of these decisions and as well as the decisions of the Party's superior bodies.
The regional council shall meet not less than once in two months. The meeting shall
be convened by the council chairperson. At least 1/3 of the council members
may also convene a meeting – notifying the council members on the agenda no later
than three days prior to the meeting. The meeting shall be deemed lawful if at least
½ of the council members are in attendance. The decisions shall be made by a simple
majority vote of the attendees by open or secret ballot. A secret ballot shall be held
on the request of at least 1/3 of the attendees, as well as in all cases when more than
one candidate is nominated for a post.
The regional Party council shall report to the territorial council. The annual activity report
shall be submitted by the chairperson of the regional Party council in late February of
each following year.
The regional council shall transfer its monetary funds to the territorial council. The report
on the expenditure of the funds allocated by the Party shall be submitted every half a year to
the territorial council by the regional Party council.
The regional council shall have the right to submit the issue of the liquidation of the primary
organization to the territorial organization.
The regional organization shall elect a new chairperson should its chairperson be
elected for the same position or for the position of vice chair to a territorial council.

5. TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION

Party's territorial organizations shall be set up in marzes (provinces) of the Republic of
Armenia. A territorial council shall be formed from among the chairpersons and vice
chairpersons of the regional councils operating in marzes.
The chairperson and two vice chairpersons of the territorial council shall be elected for a
two-year term from among the members of the territorial council by open or secret ballot
and a simple majority vote of the attendees. Preterm elections of the territorial council
chairperson and vice chairpersons may be held by the decision of the territorial council. In
the event of a vacancy in the office of the territorial council chairperson and should he/she
be absent, the duties shall be performed by the oldest vice chairperson. No later than 15 days
prior to the Party ordinary Congress the territorial council shall elect the chairperson and
vice chairpersons of the territorial council.
The territorial organization shall function through convening meetings, decision-making,
and implementation of these decisions and as well as the decisions of the Party's superior
bodies.
The territorial Party council shall meet not less than once in two months. The meetings
shall be convened by the chairperson of the council. At least 1/3 of the council members
may also convene a meeting with a notification no later than three days prior to the meeting.
A meeting shall be deemed lawful, if it is attended by at least ½ of the council members.
The decisions of the territorial council shall be made by a simple majority vote of the
attendees either by open or secret ballot. A secret ballot shall be held on the request of at
least 1/3 of the attendees as well as in all cases when more than one candidate in nominated
for the post.
The territorial council shall report to the executive body of the Party. The annual activity
report shall be submitted by the chairperson of the territorial council in March of every next
year.
The territorial council shall coordinate and control the activity of regional organizations. The
territorial council may liquidate the primary organization either on its own initiative or on
the proposal of the regional organization. The territorial council may submit the issue of
the liquidation of a regional organization to the executive body of the Party.
The territorial council shall transfer its monetary funds to the Party treasury. The territorial
council shall submit an annual report on the expenditure of the funds allocated by the Party
to the executive body.

7. YEREVAN CITY TERRITORIAL AND DISTRICT ORGANIZATIONS

Party's territorial organizations shall be set up in the administrative districts of Yerevan, and
district organizations shall be set up by the decision of the executive body.
The territorial councils of the Yerevan city administrative districts shall be formed from
among the operating district council chairpersons and vice chairpersons. Should there be
no such council, they shall be formed from among the chairpersons of primary
organizations.
The Yerevan city administrative district primary organization shall report to the district
council. Should there be no such council it shall report to the territorial council.
The primary organization shall transfer its monetary funds (membership fees and
donations) to the district council. Should there be no district councils it shall transfer the
funds to the territorial council.
The Yerevan city territorial council shall have the right to submit the issue of the liquidation
of a district council or primary organization to the executive body of the Party.

8. CONGRESS

The Party Congress shall be the ultimate Party authority, and its decisions shall be binding
for all Party bodies and members. The bodies elected at the Party Congress and provided for
by the Party Charter shall report to the Congress.
The ordinary Party Congress shall be convened at least once in two years by the permanent
governing body of the Party.
The delegates to the Congress shall be nominated at primary organization meetings. The
Congress shall be deemed lawful if at least 2/3 of the overall number of delegates are in
attendance (registered). The decisions on the approval of the Party Charter, Program and
amendments, reorganization of the Party, as well as nomination of a presidential candidate
shall be taken by a majority vote of the overall number of delegates to the Congress.
The decisions of the Congress, except for cases prescribed by the law and this
Charter, shall be taken either by open or secret ballot, and by a majority vote of the
delegates in attendance.
A secret ballot shall be held on the request of at least 1/3 of the Congress delegates
in attendance, as well as in all cases when more than one candidate is nominated to
run for the post.
An extraordinary Congress may be convened by the decision of the executive body
either on the proposal of the chairperson of the Party or on the request of 1/5 of the
RPA members.
The Party Congress shall:

Hear and approve the report of the chairperson of the Party on his/her activity
and that of the executive body;
Consider and approve the Party Program and Charter, proposed amendments and
its agenda;
Elect the Party chairperson;
Elect the Party executive body;
Decide on the political strategy of the Party, the ways of implementing Party goals
and objectives;
Hear and approve the report of the Party Control committee;
Decide on the composition of the Control committee and elect the Party's Control
committee;
Decide on the nomination of a presidential candidate;
Decide on the reorganization and/or liquidation of the Party.

9. CHAIRPERSON

The chairperson of the Party shall be elected by the Congress for a two-year term by a
majority of votes of the delegates in attendance (registered). The candidacies for the Party
chairperson shall be nominated by the delegates of the Congress. Should more than one
candidate be nominated, the candidate who has obtained most of the votes cast shall be
deemed elected.
Should the Party chairperson be absent one of the members of the executive body shall, as
assigned by the chairperson, exercise the powers of the Party chairperson.
The Party chairperson shall:

Exercise the overall guidance of the Party;
Represent the Party, its interests and position in the relations with the bodies of
national and local self-governance, NGOs, political and international
organizations, or commissions these duties to other members of the Party;
Be an ex-officio member of the Party council and executive body;
Convene a meeting of the Party council or executive body;
One month prior to the ordinary Congress convene a meeting of the Party
executive body, where the draft agenda of the Congress is decided upon;
Guide the activity of the Party executive body and chair the Party council
meeting;
Dispose the Party property and finances;
Approve (sign) the decisions of the Party council and executive body on the
publication of the Party official newspaper and other periodicals;
Form his/her staff;
Approve (sign) all the necessary documents on behalf of the Party;
Submit to the Party council for approval the candidacies of the Party vice
chairpersons and party committee chairpersons from among the members of the
Party executive body;
Identify the areas directly coordinated by the Party vice chairpersons;
Submit the proposals of the executive body for the approval of the Party
council;
Submit for the council approval the RPA candidates, approved by the executive
body of the Party, for appointment or elections to political offices in the National
Assembly or the Government;
Submit candidacies of the Party structural unit heads to the Party council for
their approval;
Approve and within the prescribed dates submit to the authorized state body the
Party financial reports as defined by the law;
Publish reports in the media on the Party finances and property use within the
dates prescribed by the law;
Exercise other powers reserved to him/her by this Charter and Party Congress.
The official position of the Party shall be presented by the Party chairperson and the
vice chairpersons and, as assigned by the Party chairperson, by the members of the
executive body, as well as by the chairperson of the RPA faction in the National
Assembly.

10. THE COUNCIL

The Council is the representative body of the Party. The ex officio members of the Party
Council are the President of the Party, the members of the executive body, parliamentarians
affiliated with the Party, cabinet members affiliated with the Party, chairpersons of the
councils of Party's territorial organizations and heads of the Party sectoral structural units.
The Party council may be recruited by the decision of the executive body.
The Party council shall function through convening council meetings, decision-making,
and implementation of these decisions and as well as the decisions of the Party's superior
bodies.
The Party council meetings shall be convened not less than three times a year. An
extraordinary meeting may be convened on the initiative of the Party council, as well
as on the innitiative of at least 1/3 of the council members, with an envisaged agenda.
The meeting shall be deemed lawful, if at least 2/3 of the council members are in
attendance.
Functions of the Council

Control the implementation of its own decisions and the decisions of the
Congress;
Approve the fundamental ideological provisions of the Party, draft Program and
Charter and Party strategic principles developed and submitted by the executive
body;
Issue statements and recommendations on behalf of the Party;
Approve the main activities of the RPA faction in the National Assembly and hear
the annual report of the executive body;
Approve the candidacies of the Party vice chairpersons, Party committee
chairpersons and heads of structural units nominated by the Party chairperson;
Submit for the approval of the executive body nominated parliamentary
candidates;
Approve the electoral campaign of the Party proposed by the executive body, and
RPA candidates, approved by the executive body of the Party, for appointment or
elections to political offices in the National Assembly or the Government;
Decide on participation in NA elections within the political alliance;
Decide on setting up a political alliance with other parliamentary forces;
Decide on cooperation with other countries' political parties, affiliation with
international unions and associations;
Upon necessity, hear the reports of territorial Party councils on the proposal of
the executive body.

11. EXECUTIVE BODY

The permanent governing body of the Party is its Executive Body, which is elected at the
Congress for a two-year term.
The membership of the executive body shall be determined by the Congress. Candidates for
the executive body membership shall be nominated to the Congress by the delegates.
The members of the executive body shall be elected either by open or secret
ballot. The candidates who have obtained majority of votes shall be deemed
elected.
The Party executive body shall function through its meetings, decision-making, and
implementation of these decisions and as well as the decisions of the Congress.
The meetings of the Party executive body shall be convened not less than once a month. An
extraordinary meeting may be convened on the initiative of the Party chairperson or on the
initiative of at least 1/3 of the members of the executive body. The meeting shall be
deemed lawful if at least 2/3 of the members of the executive body are in attendance.
The Party executive body shall:

Organize, guide and control the implementation of the Congress decisions;
Call an ordinary Congress of the Party and make the necessary preparations;
Decide on the approval of the Congress draft agenda;
Decide on the date of the Congress, procedure for the selection of delegates and
their overall number;
Convene an extraordinary Congress on the proposal of the Party chairperson or
on the request of 1/5 of the RPA members;
Decide on the nomination of a presidential candidate from RPA or support a
nominated candidate;
Decide on nominating parliamentary candidates;
Approve RPA candidates introduced for appointment or election to political
offices in the National Assembly or Government;
Consider the Party electoral campaign and submit it for the approval of the
council;
Consider and handle the Party day-to-day activity-related matters;
Elaborate and submit for the council’s approval the Party ideological provisions,
draft Charter, Program and strategic documents, as well as strategic principles;
May set up and dissolve the Party’s sectoral structural units;
Control the activities of the territorial, regional and primary organizations and
sectoral structural units;
Submit an activity report to the Party council once a year;
Decide on the position of the RPA parliamentary faction on legislative initiatives;
Decide on nominating candidates for the heads of municipalities and members to
councils of elders;
Approve inter-party acts (decisions, decrees, recommendations, instructions,
statements, directions, etc.), except for acts reserved to the authority of the
Congress or council;
Decide on convening an extraordinary meeting of the council:
Decide on convening territorial, regional or primary organizations extraordinary
meetings and as well as on issues for mandatory consideration at the meetings;
On the proposal of the Party chairperson make a decision on the establishment or
liquidation of sectoral structural units;
Upon necessity, or in the event of appeals, may review the decisions taken by
Party structures;
Upon necessity, set up a regional organization;
On the proposal of the territorial Party council may liquidate a regional Party
organization;
Determine the geographic framework for the regional organization activities;
On its own initiative and with the consent of the Party chairperson may liquidate
a territorial Party organization;
Hear the annual reports of the Party territorial councils;
Issue statements on behalf of the Party;
Coordinate and control the Party media and publishing services;
Take a decision on all Party activity matters, which by Charter are not reserved to
the exclusive powers of the Party Congress, chairperson or council;
Exercise the powers of the Party as a corporate body;
Approve the procedure of managing the Party property and expenditure budget;
Determine the procedure of membership fee payment;
Permit the manufacturing of souvenirs with the RPA emblem, establish
commemorative medals and the procedure of awarding them;
Report to the Congress.

12. AUDIT COMMISSION

The Audit Commission supervises the Party’s financial activity and shall be set up by
the Congress for a two-year term.
Any member of the Audit Commission may not be represented in the Party executive
body and the Council, as well as be in the capacity of a territorial and sectoral
structural unit.
The members of the Audit Commission shall elect a chairperson from among the
committee members.
The Audit Commission shall report to the Party Congress.
The Audit Commission shall:

Control the sources of Party incomes and spending;
Check the legitimacy of revenues and spending;
Control the Party property management, its disposal and use;
Check the Party property-related processes.

13. PROPERTY AND FINANCES

The Party property, including facilities aimed at implementing the Program and
Charter objectives, vehicles and other property, shall be generated from donations,
form activities under the defined procedure and other sources not prohibited by the
law.
The Party is the only owner of the property that was received by the Party, as well as
created and/or obtained at its own expenses.
The territorial and sectoral structural units of the Party shall manage and use the
property allocated to them by the owner within the limits and procedure as defined
by the executive body.
The finances shall be generated from membership fees, donations as prescribed by
the law, budgetary funding under the law, civil legal transactions and other means
not prohibited by the legislation.
The Party property and finances shall be managed by the chairperson, or by one of
the executive body members in conformity with the procedures approved by the
executive body and if authorized so by the chairperson.

14. PARTY REORGANIZATION AND/OR LIQUIDATION

14.1 The Party may be reorganized and/or liquidated by the decision of the Party
Congress under the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and this Charter. The
Party may be reorganized (amalgamated, united, divided, separated) solely into
another party (parties).
14.2 The Party may be reorganized and/or liquidated on the initiative of the Party
executive body or on the written request of at least 1/3 of the Party Congress
delegates.
14.3 The decision on the reorganization and/or liquidation of the Party shall be
taken by open ballot and by a majority of votes of the overall number of Congress
delegates.
14.4 In the event of a decision on the Party liquidation by the Congress a liquidation
committee shall be set up, which under the Legislation of the Republic of Armenia
shall manage the Party property and finances and implement the liquidation.
Following the Party liquidation and based on the Party Congress decision the
property shall be transferred to an NGO or foundation registered in the Republic of
Armenia or to the Republic of Armenia.
14.5. Should the Party liquidation initiative be turned down by the Congress, the
affiliation of the Party members who have initiated the liquidation shall be
terminated upon taking the decision, and if needed, new elections shall be held.
14.6. The Party shall be liquidated also in cases and according to procedures
provided for by the law.