Members of Rostov REC meet rights defenders for the first time

Members of the Regional Election Commission (REC) of the Rostov Region for the first time met NGOs' representatives who monitor preparations for the elections to the State Duma.

"This is the first meeting of such a format held in the Rostov Region. We also know nothing of such meetings held at the level of the Regional Election Commissions in Russia," stated Mikhail Rozin, the head of the internal control service of the Election Commission of the Rostov Region.

Before the meeting of the members of the Election Commission with public representatives and human rights defenders, which was held on the November 16, the participant of the meeting found out more about the ballots processing complexes (BPCs), which would appear on the electoral precincts in number of 132 items.

Sergey Yusov, Chairman of the Election Commission, reminded the NGOs' representatives that they and the Election Commission take care of the same business: they protect citizens' constitutional rights.

The question is about ensuring equal opportunities, especially for the voters and only then - for the parties. According to Sergey Yusov, the Rostov Region is marked by high activity of the NGOs during election campaigns.

The Chairman of the Election Commission mentioned the changes in the Russian electoral legislation and emphasized that opportunities have been extended for all parties.

According to Sergey Yusov, the Election Commission needs people to help implement the lawfulness at the electoral precincts. He has already held meetings with young people, all parties, bloggers, and people with disabilities. At the recent meeting, the students, studying sociology, were proposed to become observers at the elections.

The Chairman of the Election Commission invited the participants of the meeting to talk about their vision of social control.

The issue on video during the elections caused a discussion. Sergey Yusov reported that during his meeting with young people, the opinions had differed: many people would not like to become objects for video shooting during the elections.

However, the ex-MP Boris Sturov (the regional public movement "Fair elections mean honest government") believes that video shooting cannot be restricted.

"It helped me personally. When 80 percent of voters come to the electoral precincts, no fraud will be possible, and the video shooting will be of no need. So, at present, primarily, we should encourage the voters. At present, they are simply forgotten," said Boris Sturov.

Dmitry Abrosimov, the representative of the regional centre of the social and political studies, is interested in the issue of lack of the legal regulations for the exit poll procedures. Sergey Yusov suggested the sociologists his help in conflict situations.

Ivan Orlov, the regional coordinator of the association "Golos" (Voice), was assured that any member of the Election Commission up to its Chairman is ready to go on the day of the elections to any electoral precinct where a violation would be discovered.

Georgi Petrov, the regional coordinator of the committee "For Fair Elections!" reported on the recent meeting in Moscow at the round table for all parties, held by the committee. All participants came to understand that united efforts of all NGOs would provide fair elections.

Participants of the meeting held on November 16 agreed that during the elections the key point is the responsibility of the members of the election commissions. 90 percent of violations, even minor ones, occur due to their incompetence.

Sergey Yusov told the audience that at that time 1000 members of the election commissions of different parties underwent full-time training. A 72-hour programme of training has been developed.

The centre, where the training is conducted, has been attended by representatives of the OSCE mission.