On March 16, 2024, the Head of the CIS Observer Mission, Deputy Secretary General of the CIS, Ilkhom Nematov, visited the Public Headquarters for Monitoring the Presidential Elections of Russia in Moscow in 2024.
The head of the analysis group of the Public Headquarters, Alexey Koshel, told the Head of the Mission about the organization of public surveillance in Moscow. Thousands of observers work directly at polling stations in shifts, each of whom has access to advice on all issues related to the performance of monitoring functions. For this purpose, a contact center with multi-channel communication has been organized at the headquarters.
The Mobile Observer application is also used to help those who directly observe the voting on the ground. It ensures constant communication with the headquarters, confirms the presence of an observer at the polling station. Information about a possible violation can also be transmitted through the application.
Along with this, the headquarters has implemented the ability to monitor the voting process through round-the-clock video surveillance. The people involved are instructed on what to pay attention to during voting and when counting votes, how to recognize a possible violation, where to report if suspicious activity or technical malfunction of video equipment is detected, and on other issues.
Incoming data on alleged violations are carefully analyzed, and mobile response teams that are ready can go to polling stations at any time to quickly assess the situation.
It is enough for media representatives to apply for accreditation at the headquarters.
Alexey Koshel also drew attention to the fact that during the first election day on March 15, there were no serious violations that could affect the voting process. At the same time, separate incidents of illegal actions of voters were noted. All requests received by the headquarters were promptly processed.
In total, about 3 million voters voted in the Russian capital during the day, which is almost twice the same figure recorded in the Moscow mayoral elections in 2023.
Ilkhom Nematov, in turn, told the representatives of the headquarters about the activities of the CIS Observer Mission, the basic principles and approaches to the organization of its work. Comparing international and public monitoring, he stressed that their goals are largely the same, since they are designed to ensure confidence in the results of the vote, which takes place under the close attention of observers. Moreover, in both cases, the effective solution of the tasks facing them can be guaranteed by objectivity, impartiality and compliance with the law when monitoring elections.
An important difference in the activities of an international observer, according to the Head of the Mission, is the need to strictly adhere to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of the host State. At the same time, representatives of the Mission certainly have more opportunities to compare the legal and organizational foundations of the electoral process in different countries.
