Clarifications

Of the order of activities of foreign (international) observers during the conduct of election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the fourth convocation

The present clarifications of the order of activities of foreign (international) observers during the conduct of election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the fourth convocation have been prepared on the basis and in compliance with federal laws “On basic guarantees of electoral rights and the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to participate in a referendum”, “On election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation”, as well as with the universally acknowledged norms and principles of the international law regulating organization and conduct of elections.

1. General Provisions

1.1. In accordance with paragraph 43 of Article 2 of the Federal Law “On basic guarantees of electoral rights and the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to participate in a referendum” a foreign (international) observer is an individual representing a foreign or an international organization and authorized to observe the preparation and conduct of elections and referenda in the Russian Federation in the order established by the law. 

1.2. Foreign (international) observers are allowed to enter the Russian Federation in the order established by the Federal Law “On the order of exiting the Russian Federation and entering the Russian Federation” and provided that they have an invitation from and are accredited by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation on the basis of documents provided for by the International Department of the Administration of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

1.3. The term of authority of a foreign (international) observer shall commence from the day when the observer receives accreditation at the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation and shall end on the day of the official publication of results of the election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the fourth convocation.

1.4. A foreign (international) observer shall carry out their activities independently and by themselves. The material and financial support for the activity of a foreign (international) observer shall be provided at the expense of the organization which sent the observer or at observer’s personal expense.

2. The order of invitation and accreditation of foreign (international) observers

2.1. Invitations may be extended by the President of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Human Rights Commissioner of the Russian Federation, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation after the official publication of a decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the fourth convocation.

2.2. Applications for invitations may be made by international and national government and non-government organizations and private persons that enjoy high prestige in the field of the protection of human and civil rights and freedoms.

2.3. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation may extend invitations to election authorities of foreign states, as well as to foreign (international) organizations specializing in election legislation and election organization issues.

2.4. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall issue a foreign (international) observer with an identity card of an established form on the basis of the documents to be presented by the observer to confirm that they have been invited by one of the bodies or persons listed above. This identity card shall allow the foreign (international) observer to carry out their activities during the preparation and conduct of the election.

3. Authorities and the order of activity of foreign (international) observers

3.1. Activities of foreign (international) observers are regulated by the Federal Law “On election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation” and other federal laws.

3.2. When on the territory of the Russian Federation the foreign (international) observer is under the patronage of the Russian Federation. Election commissions, federal bodies of power and bodies of power of subjects of the Russian Federation shall provide them with all the necessary assistance.

3.3. Foreign (international) observers are authorized to:

3.3.1. Meet with candidates and their authorized representatives, as well as authorized representatives of political parties and election blocs.

3.3.2. Be present on the premises of election commissions (territorial, district election commissions, election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, as well as the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation) during the conduct of early elections, vote count, determination of election results, compilation of respective protocols of voting and election results, as well as during the repeat vote count.

3.3.3. Be present at polling stations, including voting premises, on voting day and on days of early voting, from the time a precinct election commission begins its work and until it is notified by the higher election commission of the acceptance of the protocols of vote returns, as well as when votes are recounted.

3.3.4. Inspect voters’ lists upon their certification by the chairman, deputy chairman, or the secretary of the precinct election commission with their signature and the official stamp of the precinct election commission.

3.3.5. Observe the issuance of ballots to voters.

3.3.6. Observe the vote count and cancellation of unused ballots, announcement of the number of canceled ballots, and the number of unused and canceled absentee certificates upon completion of the voting.

3.3.7. Visually inspect canceled ballots and absentee certificates under control of members of the precinct election commission with decisive vote.

3.3.8. Observe the count of the number of citizens enlisted in voters’ lists, the number of ballots issued to voters, and the number of canceled ballots.

3.3.9. Be present at the announcement of cumulative data on voters’ lists on the federal and single-mandate election districts conducted by the precinct election commission prior to the vote count.

3.3.10. Be present at the vote count and observe the count from a distance and under conditions that allow them to clearly see the marks made on the ballots, visually inspect any completed or blank ballots during the vote count, as well as the sorted ballots under control of members of the precinct election commission with the decisive vote.

3.3.11. Watch the election commission prepare voting results protocols and other documents from the moment of the beginning of work of the precinct election commission on the voting day, including days of early voting, and until it is notified by the higher election commission of the acceptance of protocols of vote returns, as well as when votes are recounted.

3.3.12. Inspect voting results protocols compiled by precinct election commissions, as well as voting and election results protocols compiled by any other election commission observed; prepare or receive copies of the said protocols and documents attached thereto from a relevant election commission, as well as any other documents received by the election commission or compiled by this election commission on the voting day, including days of early voting.

3.3.13. Receive copies of voting results protocols certified by the precinct election commission or have a possibility to have these protocols copied and certified by the precinct election commission.

3.3.14. Put their signatures on sealed sacks or boxes used to pack election ballots and absentee certificates upon completion of the vote count.

3.3.15. Express their opinions on the election legislation as well as on the preparation and conduct of elections upon completion of the voting, to hold press-conferences and address mass media representatives.

4. Responsibility for violation of the election legislation and rights of foreign (international) observers

4.1. In compliance with the Federal Law “On election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation” foreign (international) observers are not authorized to undertake any actions other than those listed above, as well as take advantage of their status to carry out activities not associated with observation of the course of the election campaign and preparation and conduct of elections.

4.2. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall revoke accreditation of a foreign (international) observer should the latter violate federal laws or universally acknowledged principles and norms of the international law based on the documents provided for by the International Department of the Administration of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

4.3. Individuals violating the rights of foreign (international) observers shall be held liable in accordance with federal laws.

Model and description of the identity card of a foreign (international) observer

The identity card of the foreign (international) observer is a document certifying their status.

The identity card is issued on a typical three-colored form sized 135 by 90 mm whose requisites are provided for in the model. The identity card contains its number, the name and surname of the foreign (international) observer, name of the country and/or organization represented, the term and conditions of the card’s validity, date of issue, as well as the signature of the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation sealed with a hologram of the round armorial stamp of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation issues identity cards to foreign (international) observers in compliance with the order established by the Federal Law “On election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation”.