Activities ALL EVENTS
IPA CIS international observers proceed with long-term monitoring of the election to the State Duma
23 August 2016
Headed by Deputy Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council – representative of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Viktar Kogut and by representative of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan Ibod Rakhimov, IPA CIS international observers met with Chair of the Electoral Commission of Leningrad Oblast. The meeting took place as part of the long-term mission to monitor the elections to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Vladimir Zhuravlev, Chair of the electoral commission, informed the observers about the registration of candidates in Leningrad Oblast nominated by their parties, and candidates of the three single-seat electoral districts in the region and about the political campaign that started on 20 August. The active political process is proved by the fact that 31 candidates from 11 political parties take part in the parliamentary election. 37 printed media and 20 broadcasting companies provide their resources for the political campaign.
The electoral commission members told the observers about their efforts aimed at assisting elderly and disabled people on the election day. On 18 September 2016, the polling booths will be equipped with additional lighting and magnifying glasses, handouts for the visually impaired will be available and those who need may also ask volunteers to help them.
The observer team headed by Deputy Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council – representative of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Ayk Chilingaryan, also had a meeting with Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Secretary of the electoral commission of Pskov Oblast.
The observers also held a meeting with human rights ombudsman in Pskov Oblast Dmitry Shakhov and Deputy Governor of Pskov Oblast – Head of the Administration Office Maxim Zhavoronkov.
On 23 August 2016 in St. Petersburg, the IPA CIS observers also had meetings with Oksana Dmitrieva, a member of parliament of the 6th Duma, and Mikhail Amosov, Chair of the regional division of the Russian United Democratic Party Yabloko.
The representatives of the parties shared their opinions on the political campaign in general and in St. Petersburg in particular and called for the observers to pay their special attention to issues and regions of concern. According to Oksana Dmitrieva, new Chairperson of the Central Electoral Commission of the Russian Federation Ella Panfilova brought some positive changes. Mikhail Amosov informed the observers about absentee voting procedure.
